Worst start ever?

Question

Yesterday Jason Jennings went 2/3 innings and gave up 11 runs, jeff weaver i saw once go i think 1/3 innings nd give up 7 runs

what is the worst start for a pitcher in the mlb?

Answer 1

First pitcher in the modern era to give up 11 earned in the first.
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Answer 2

It depends somewhat on how you look at it, but this has to be one of the worst starts by a pitcher ever. Jennings' ERA for that game is 147.76.

There have been guys who have had an infinite ERA for a game, but usually it's because they've given up 4 or 5 runs without an out before they're lifted. So maybe statistically they had a worse game, but 11 runs in two thirds of an inning is worse than 4 or 5 runs without getting an out in my opinion. If you give up 4 or 5 runs with no outs, at least the guy who relieves you will probably get a couple of outs before giving up 6 or 7 more runs.

Brettj666, the game you're thinking about was against the Marlins in 2003. The Red Sox scored 6 runs against starter Carl Pavano. Pavano was relieved and then they scored 5 more runs against the second guy without an out. Another pitcher came in and allowed 3 more runs (14 total) but at least he got the three outs. So Pavano's start alone isn't as bad as this one, but combined, the first two pitchers allowed 11 runs without an out--worse than Jennings' start but it took two guys to do it.

Answer 3

Bill James created a stat called Game Score, which uses the six numbers from the pitcher line (IP, H, R, ER, BB, K) to calculate a number, which usually ranges from 0 to 100 but can exceed in either direction. It is intended to hang a number on the quality of the starting pitcher's performance. The higher, the better.

Jennings got a GS of -12, which is pretty darn bad.

Setting the Wayback Machine to 1912, however, we find the legendary one-day strike of the Detroit Tigers, objecting to a suspension of team star Ty Cobb. Tigers officials quickly scoured the streets of Philadelphia (where they were visiting) and signed enough amateur players to field a team on May 18. A 20-year-old lad named Allan Travers was the chosen whipping boy on the mound. He went the distance, eight innings in an easy loss, giving up 26 hits, 24 runs (14 earned), walking seven, striking out one. Final, Athletics 24 - Tigers 2. Travers' Game Score: -52. If that has EVER been outdone in the history of professional baseball, I'd be amazed.

None of the replacement Tigers played again, but they rather expected that.

Answer 4

The Red Sox scored 14 runs off an opponent in the first inning and Johnny Damon got to bat 3 times in the first alone, that probably qualifies as a bad start.

Not sure of the team/pitcher though.

Answer 5

According to ESPN, this was the first time that a pitcher has given up eleven runs in the first inning. This probably has to with the fact that no manager would usually leave a pitcher who is bombing that badly in a game long enough to give up that many runs. So in addition to some bad pitching, some problematic managing also contributed to the record.

Answer 6

This has got to be the worst start in the last 100 years. Wow.

You would think that even if you lobbed the ball up there that the batter would hit it at someone. Look at the home run derby. The pitcher lobs them to the plate and the batter might hit several homers, the other batted balls are popups or grounders or outfield fly balls.

I mean, you would think you could get three guys to hit it at someone, even if you threw underhand, before they got 11 runs....

Answer 7

That has to be in the top 5.

I remember back the late 80's Andy Hawkins of the Yankees gave up runs before he got 1 batter out to the Rex Sox.

Answer 8

There was another bad start yesterday, Bonderman of the Tigers he allowed 10 in the first. At least the Astros made it interesting

Answer 9

I'm from Houston and watched that game in which the stros almost came back but today I heard that was the worst start since 1900.

Answer 10

that's it worst start in the past 100 years