Rule Change Would Have Given Wins to 5 Pitchers

Baseball’s decision not to adopt a temporary rule change allowing starting pitchers to pick up a victory after going just three innings instead of five in the first two weeks of the season cost several pitchers a victory. But there will be no asterisks attached to their statistics this year.

The great debate started last month when the official rules-makers briefly considered a change. Oakland manager Tony La Russa was among those who liked the idea and its intent to protect pitchers who didn’t work much during the lockout-abbreviated spring training.

The decision not to change the rule cost Frank Tanana, Eric King, Walt Terrell, Jaime Navarro and Roy Smith one victory each.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Tanana said. “I’m fine either way.”

Even if the rule had been adopted, it would have ended Sunday. It would not have made much of a difference, either.

In a grand total of five games, a starting pitcher who went fewer than five innings would have gotten a victory.

On the second day of the season, King pitched four innings and was relieved with the Chicago White Sox leading Milwaukee 1-0. Chicago wound up winning 5-3, and the victory went to King’s successor, Scott Radinsky, who pitched 1 1/3 innings.

King, still without a decision, is to start Tuesday night at Texas.

“I wasn’t really against the rule or for it,” King said. “It seemed like that would be a pretty easy win.”

Tanana thought he was headed toward a victory when Detroit took an early 8-2 lead against Boston on April 12. He left after 4 2/3 innings after giving up three more runs, and reliever Urbano Lugo got credit for the win as the Tigers held on 11-7.

“I didn’t do the job, and that’s the way it goes,” Tanana said. “I was capable of going five, and I didn’t do it. I didn’t get the one key out.”

Neither Navarro, Smith nor Terrell has a victory yet. If any of them wind up with 19 wins, they can blame the three-inning rule for costing them No. 20.

Last Wednesday, Milwaukee gave Navarro a 9-2 lead. But he left after allowing nine hits in four innings, and Tony Fossas got the victory as the Brewers beat Texas 11-6.

The same day, Smith lasted 4 2/3 innings and was relieved with Minnesota ahead of Seattle. The Twins held on, and Terry Leach got the win.

On Friday, Terrell pitched 4 1/3 innings and left with Pittsburgh leading Chicago. The Pirates won 9-4, and the victory went to Scott Roesler, who pitched only one inning.