Baseball Line Score

The line score is the very basic display, similar to a scoreboard, that you will need to know how to read at a live game or on television.

Teams: On the far left, you will see both teams listed, with the home team on the bottom.

Runs by inning: The numbers 1-9 indicate the inning, while the numbers even with the team name represent the runs scored in each inning.

R: Runs. The total number of runs scored by each team. This is the most important number as it represents the score.

H: Hits. Total hits awarded to the team. The number of times batters successfully reached first base.

E: Errors. Total errors, or mistakes that should have resulted in an out, committed by each team. Should be low, usually 0.

W/L: Win or Loss for a pitcher along with their record. 3-2 would be 3 wins and 2 losses. Only one pitcher per game is awarded a win or loss.

When I look at the line score above from the 2006 World Series, I can quickly tell then following. Saint Loius (STL) won the game 5 to 4 at home. They were behind from the second inning to the 7 th inning. Detroit tied up the game in the top of the eighth inning, but then St. Louis scored in the bottom of the eighth, which they were able to hold onto. Since they were up in the ninth inning, they didn't need to bat in the bottom of the ninth because the victory was already locked up. Detriot had one more hit than St. Louis , but they also committed an error. I am curious if the error led to a run being scored, and will look into that when I examine the box score by seeing how many runs were "earned." Wainwright was awarded the win, while Zumaya was awarded a loss.