Run (baseball)

In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances safely around all three bases and returns safely to home plate. The object of the game is for a team to score more runs than its opponent.

In baseball statistics, a player who advances around all the bases to score is credited with a run (R), sometimes referred to as a "run scored." A pitcher can be given runs on his statistics, which includes earned runs and runs scored due to errors.

A team is said to "manufacture a run" when it takes them several plays to move a baserunner around the bases and then help him score. The lineup is often designed in such a way to maximize the possibility of manufacturing a run in the first inning. The general process of manufacturing a run begins with a batter getting to first base. He will somehow move over to second base often through a sacrifice bunt or stolen base. Since the leadoff hitter is usually fast, a single will almost always score him from second base. If the runner is on second with no outs, sometimes a sacrifice will move him to third, and then a sacrifice fly will enable him to score. Manufacturing runs is very important in close games.