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Most 1st Inning Runs 1954-2009

Posted by Raphy on July 4, 2009

A quick run through the PI inning summary tool reveals that on 4 occasions since 1954 a team has scored 13 or more runs in the first inning.  Using the Batting Event Finder, it's pretty easy to isolate them. Here's a quick look at  each of those innings:

14  Run First Innings

Cincinnati Reds 08/03/1989

Bottom of the 1st, Reds Batting, Tied 0-0, Astros' Jim Clancy facing 1-2-3
b1 0 --- 7,(3-2)  4% 58% 0-0 CIN M. Duncan J. Clancy
b1 0 1-- 1,(0-0)  3% 61% 0-0 CIN L. Quinones J. Clancy Duncan Steals 2B
b1 0 -2- 2,(1-0)  7% 68% 0-0 CIN L. Quinones J. Clancy Single to P (Bunt to Short 3B Line); Duncan to 3B
b1 0 1-3 R 2,(1-0)  5% 73% 0-0 CIN E. Davis J. Clancy Single to CF (Ground Ball thru SS-2B); Duncan Scores; Quinones to 2B
b1 0 12- RRR 4,(1-2)  15% 88% 1-0 CIN K. Griffey J. Clancy Home Run (Fly Ball to Deep LF-CF); Quinones Scores; Davis Scores
b1 0 --- 3,(0-2)  1% 89% 4-0 CIN R. Roomes J. Clancy Single to SS (Ground Ball to SS-2B)
b1 0 1-- 7,(2-2)  3% 92% 4-0 CIN T. Benzinger J. Clancy Single to RF (Ground Ball thru 2B-1B); Roomes to 3B
b1 0 1-3 R 1,(0-0)  2% 94% 4-0 CIN J. Reed J. Clancy Single to RF (Line Drive to 2B-1B); Roomes Scores; Benzinger to 2B
Bob Forsch replaces Jim Clancy pitching and batting 9th
b1 0 12- R 5,(2-2)  3% 97% 5-0 CIN R. Oester B. Forsch Double to RF (Ground Ball); Benzinger Scores; Reed to 3B
b1 0 -23 R 1,(0-0)  1% 98% 6-0 CIN T. Browning B. Forsch Wild Pitch; Reed Scores/No RBI; Oester to 3B
b1 0 --3 O 3,(2-0)  -0% 97% 7-0 CIN T. Browning B. Forsch Groundout: 1B unassisted
b1 1 --3 R 2,(1-0)  1% 98% 7-0 CIN M. Duncan B. Forsch Double to RF (Pop Fly to Short RF Line); Oester Scores
b1 1 -2- 3,(2-0)  0% 98% 8-0 CIN L. Quinones B. Forsch Single to LF (Line Drive to Short LF-CF); Duncan to 3B
b1 1 1-3 R 3,(1-1)  0% 99% 8-0 CIN E. Davis B. Forsch Single to CF (Line Drive to Short CF); Duncan Scores; Quinones to 2B
b1 1 12- R 2,(0-1)  0% 99% 9-0 CIN K. Griffey B. Forsch Single to CF (Line Drive to Short CF); Quinones Scores; Davis to 3B
b1 1 1-3 3,(1-1)  0% 99% 10-0 CIN R. Roomes B. Forsch Single to 3B (Ground Ball); Davis stays at 3B; Griffey to 2B
b1 1 123 RRR 3,(1-1)  0% 99% 10-0 CIN T. Benzinger B. Forsch Double to RF (Ground Ball); Davis Scores; Griffey Scores; Roomes Scores
b1 1 -2- 6,(3-2)  0% 99% 13-0 CIN J. Reed B. Forsch Single to CF (Line Drive to Short CF); Benzinger to 3B
b1 1 1-3 R 4,(2-1)  0% 99% 13-0 CIN R. Oester B. Forsch Single to RF (Ground Ball thru 2B-1B); Benzinger Scores; Reed to 2B
b1 1 12- 3,(1-1)  0% 99% 14-0 CIN T. Browning B. Forsch Single to LF (Ground Ball thru SS-3B Hole); Reed to 3B; Oester to 2B
b1 1 123 O 1,(0-0)  0% 99% 14-0 CIN M. Duncan B. Forsch Flyball: LF (Short LF)
b1 2 123 O 3,(1-1)  0% 99% 14-0 CIN L. Quinones B. Forsch Flyball: RF
14 runs, 16 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB. Astros 0, Reds 14.

Boston Red Sox 06/27/2003

Bottom of the 1st, Red Sox Batting, Behind 0-1, Marlins' Carl Pavano facing 1-2-3
b1 0 --- 6,(2-2)  6% 51% 0-1 BOS J. Damon C. Pavano Double to RF (Ground Ball thru Deep 1B)
b1 0 -2- R 6,(3-2)  7% 58% 0-1 BOS T. Walker C. Pavano Single to CF (Line Drive); Damon Scores
b1 0 1-- 2,(0-1)  9% 68% 1-1 BOS N. Garciaparra C. Pavano Double to CF (Fly Ball to Deep LF); Walker to 3B
b1 0 -23 RRR 1,(0-0)  12% 79% 1-1 BOS M. Ramirez C. Pavano Home Run (Fly Ball); Walker Scores; Garciaparra Scores
b1 0 --- 4,(2-1)  3% 83% 4-1 BOS D. Ortiz C. Pavano Double to RF (Line Drive)
b1 0 -2- R 3,(1-1)  4% 87% 4-1 BOS K. Millar C. Pavano Single to CF (Line Drive); Ortiz Scores
Michael Tejera replaces Carl Pavano pitching
b1 0 1-- 1,(0-0)  2% 89% 5-1 BOS T. Nixon M. Tejera Single to RF (Line Drive); Millar to 2B
b1 0 12- 9,(3-2)  3% 92% 5-1 BOS B. Mueller M. Tejera Walk; Millar to 3B; Nixon to 2B
b1 0 123 RR 5,(2-2)  3% 95% 5-1 BOS J. Varitek M. Tejera Single to CF (Ground Ball thru Deep SS-2B); Millar Scores; Nixon Scores; Mueller to 2B
b1 0 12- RR 9,(2-2)  3% 98% 7-1 BOS J. Damon M. Tejera Triple to RF (Line Drive to Deep RF); Mueller Scores; Varitek Scores
b1 0 --3 R 8,(3-2)  0% 98% 9-1 BOS T. Walker M. Tejera Single to RF (Ground Ball); Damon Scores
Allen Levrault replaces Michael Tejera pitching
b1 0 1-- O 5,(3-1)  -0% 98% 10-1 BOS N. Garciaparra A. Levrault Foul Popfly: C (Behind Home)
b1 1 1-- 1,(0-0)  0% 98% 10-1 BOS M. Ramirez A. Levrault Single to RF (Line Drive); Walker to 3B
b1 1 1-3 6,(3-2)  0% 98% 10-1 BOS D. Ortiz A. Levrault Walk; Ramirez to 2B
b1 1 123 RO 3,(1-1)  0% 99% 10-1 BOS K. Millar A. Levrault Flyball: CF/Sacrifice Fly; Walker Scores
b1 2 12- 7,(3-2)  0% 99% 11-1 BOS T. Nixon A. Levrault Walk; Ramirez to 3B; Ortiz to 2B
b1 2 123 RR 6,(3-2)  0% 99% 11-1 BOS B. Mueller A. Levrault Double to CF (Line Drive to LF-CF); Ramirez Scores; Ortiz Scores; Nixon to 3B
b1 2 -23 5,(3-1)  0% 99% 13-1 BOS J. Varitek A. Levrault Walk
b1 2 123 RO 4,(1-2)  0% 99% 13-1 BOS J. Damon A. Levrault Single to LF (Line Drive); Nixon Scores; Mueller out at Hm/LF-C; Varitek to 2B
14 runs, 13 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Marlins 1, Red Sox 14.


13 Run First Innings

San Diego Padres 08/24/1993

Bottom of the 1st, Padres Batting, Tied 0-0, Cardinals' Allen Watson facing 1-2-3
b1 0 --- 5,(3-1)  4% 58% 0-0 SDP R. Gutierrez A. Watson Walk
b1 0 1-- RR 5,(2-2)  15% 73% 0-0 SDP T. Teufel A. Watson Home Run (Fly Ball to Deep RF); Gutierrez Scores
b1 0 --- 5,(3-1)  3% 76% 2-0 SDP T. Gwynn A. Watson Walk
b1 0 1-- 1,(0-0)  7% 83% 2-0 SDP D. Bell A. Watson Double to CF (Line Drive to Deep LF-CF); Gwynn to 3B
b1 0 -23 RR 5,(2-2)  6% 89% 2-0 SDP P. Clark A. Watson Double to RF (Ground Ball); Gwynn Scores; Bell Scores
b1 0 -2- O 2,(0-1)  -2% 87% 4-0 SDP P. Plantier A. Watson Flyball: RF
b1 1 -2- 6,(3-2)  1% 88% 4-0 SDP A. Cianfrocco A. Watson Walk
b1 1 12- R 3,(1-1)  5% 93% 4-0 SDP B. Ausmus A. Watson Double to LF (Line Drive to Short LF Line); Clark Scores; Cianfrocco to 3B
b1 1 -23 O 3,(0-2)  -2% 91% 5-0 SDP A. Ashby A. Watson Fielder's Choice SS; Cianfrocco out at Hm/SS-C; Ausmus to 3B; Ashby to 1B
b1 2 1-3 8,(3-2)  1% 91% 5-0 SDP R. Gutierrez A. Watson Walk; Ashby to 2B
Todd Burns replaces Allen Watson pitching and batting 9th
b1 2 123 R 3,(1-1)  3% 94% 5-0 SDP T. Teufel T. Burns Single to P (Ground Ball to Weak 3B); Ausmus Scores; Ashby to 3B; Gutierrez to 2B
b1 2 123 RR 3,(2-0)  3% 98% 6-0 SDP T. Gwynn T. Burns Single to RF (Line Drive); Ashby Scores; Gutierrez Scores; Teufel to 3B; Gwynn to 2B/Adv on throw
b1 2 -23 R 1,(0-0)  1% 98% 8-0 SDP D. Bell T. Burns Single to CF (Line Drive to Deep SS-2B); Teufel Scores; Gwynn to 3B
b1 2 1-3 R 3,(2-0)  1% 99% 9-0 SDP P. Clark T. Burns Single to LF (Line Drive to Deep SS); Gwynn Scores; Bell to 2B
b1 2 12- RRR 5,(2-2)  0% 99% 10-0 SDP P. Plantier T. Burns Home Run (Fly Ball to Deep CF-RF); Bell Scores; Clark Scores
b1 2 --- O 4,(1-2)  0% 99% 13-0 SDP A. Cianfrocco T. Burns Groundout: P-1B
13 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB. Cardinals 0, Padres 13.

Oakland Athletics 07/05/1996

Bottom of the 1st, Athletics Batting, Behind 0-3, Angels' Ryan Hancock facing 1-2-3
b1 0 --- 3,(1-1)  3% 33% 0-3 OAK J. Herrera R. Hancock Single to LF (Ground Ball)
b1 0 1-- 2,(1-0)  2% 35% 0-3 OAK R. Bournigal R. Hancock Herrera Steals 2B
b1 0 -2- 3,(1-1)  6% 41% 0-3 OAK R. Bournigal R. Hancock Single to 3B (Bunt); Herrera to 3B
b1 0 1-3 3,(0-2)  5% 45% 0-3 OAK J. Giambi R. Hancock Hit By Pitch; Bournigal to 2B
b1 0 123 O 6,(3-2)  -7% 38% 0-3 OAK M. McGwire R. Hancock Strikeout Swinging
b1 1 123 R 6,(3-2)  8% 47% 0-3 OAK S. Brosius R. Hancock Walk; Herrera Scores; Bournigal to 3B; Giambi to 2B
b1 1 123 RRRR 2,(1-0)  23% 70% 1-3 OAK M. Stairs R. Hancock Home Run (Line Drive to Deep RF); Bournigal Scores; Giambi Scores; Brosius Scores
b1 1 --- 6,(3-2)  2% 72% 5-3 OAK G. Williams R. Hancock Walk
b1 1 1-- O 7,(3-2)  -2% 70% 5-3 OAK E. Young R. Hancock Strikeout Looking
b1 2 1-- 2,(0-1)  1% 71% 5-3 OAK M. Bordick R. Hancock Single to RF (Line Drive to Deep 2B-1B); Williams to 2B
b1 2 12- R 1,(0-0)  7% 79% 5-3 OAK J. Herrera R. Hancock Single to RF (Line Drive to Short RF); Williams Scores; Bordick to 3B
Brad Pennington replaces Ryan Hancock pitching
b1 2 1-3 4,(3-0)  1% 80% 6-3 OAK R. Bournigal B. Pennington Walk; Herrera to 2B
Damon Mashore pinch hits for Jason Giambi (LF) batting 3rd
b1 2 123 R 7,(3-2)  5% 85% 6-3 OAK D. Mashore B. Pennington Walk; Bordick Scores; Herrera to 3B; Bournigal to 2B
b1 2 123 R 5,(3-1)  4% 89% 7-3 OAK M. McGwire B. Pennington Walk; Herrera Scores; Bournigal to 3B; Mashore to 2B
Jim Abbott replaces Brad Pennington pitching
b1 2 123 RR 5,(1-2)  5% 95% 8-3 OAK S. Brosius J. Abbott Double to LF (Line Drive); Bournigal Scores; Mashore Scores; McGwire to 3B
b1 2 -23 RR 2,(0-1)  3% 97% 10-3 OAK M. Stairs J. Abbott Single to RF (Ground Ball thru 2B-1B); McGwire Scores; Brosius Scores
b1 2 1-- R 13,(3-2)  1% 98% 12-3 OAK G. Williams J. Abbott Double to LF (Line Drive to Deep LF-CF); Stairs Scores
b1 2 -2- 6,(3-2)  0% 98% 13-3 OAK E. Young J. Abbott Single to 3B (Ground Ball to Weak 3B); Williams to 3B
b1 2 1-3 O 3,(2-0)  -0% 98% 13-3 OAK M. Bordick J. Abbott Flyball: LF
13 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Angels 3, Athletics 13.

20 Responses to “Most 1st Inning Runs 1954-2009”

  1. battlekow Says:

    I guess Mariano Duncan walked to lead off that game for Cincinnati, based on the box score. The PBP doesn't show how he got on first.

    I always liked that Johnny Damon was 3/4 of the way to the cycle after the first inning of that game (and didn't get it).

  2. ImAShark Says:

    This is cool, is there anyway you could post other 14+ run innings from 1954-2009? Besides the Red Sox and Reds, I think the only teams to do it in any inning from 1954-2009 was the Rangers in 1996 (who had 16) and the Indians this year.

  3. ImAShark Says:

    Also how do you get this on the Batting Event Finder?

  4. Raphy Says:

    ImAShark- I didn't really. What I did was I went to the years with the high scoring first innings (based on the innings tool), limited my search for 1st inning, up 4+ runs and searched for all PA. Then I manually scanned the returned list for PA when the team had 10 or more runs.

    Because they don't involve the first inning the other games might not be as easy to find. However, if no one beats me to I'll try within the next few days.

  5. ImAShark Says:

    Oh okay, thanks.

  6. whiz Says:

    Not with PI, but using Retrosheet's gamelogs I found all games since 1901 for a which a gamelog exists that had a team score 13 or more runs in an inning:

    19110513 NY1 13 runs vs SLN in inning 1
    19220825 CHN 14 runs vs PHI in inning 4
    19230707 CLE 13 runs vs BOS in inning 6
    19250615 PHA 13 runs vs CLE in inning 8
    19250617 DET 13 runs @ NYA in inning 6
    19430926 CHA 13 runs @ WS1 in inning 4
    19450621 NYA 13 runs @ BOS in inning 5
    19480704 BOS 14 runs vs PHA in inning 7
    19500618 CLE 14 runs vs PHA in inning 1
    19520521 BRO 15 runs vs CIN in inning 1
    19530618 BOS 17 runs vs DET in inning 7
    19540808 BRO 13 runs vs CIN in inning 8
    19560421 KC1 13 runs vs CHA in inning 2
    19660507 SFN 13 runs @ SLN in inning 3
    19720920 ATL 13 runs vs HOU in inning 2
    19770410 CLE 13 runs @ BOS in inning 8
    19780914 CAL 13 runs @ TEX in inning 9
    19890803 CIN 14 runs vs HOU in inning 1
    19900708 MIL 13 runs vs CAL in inning 5
    19930824 SDN 13 runs vs SLN in inning 1
    19940531 SDN 13 runs vs PIT in inning 2
    19960419 TEX 16 runs vs BAL in inning 8
    19960705 OAK 13 runs vs CAL in inning 1
    19970507 MON 13 runs @ SFN in inning 6
    19970512 ANA 13 runs vs CHA in inning 7
    19970715 SFN 13 runs @ SDN in inning 7
    20010808 DET 13 runs @ TEX in inning 9
    20030413 PHI 13 runs @ CIN in inning 4
    20030627 BOS 14 runs vs FLO in inning 1
    20050418 NYA 13 runs vs TBA in inning 2
    20050621 NYA 13 runs vs TBA in inning 8

    Obviously there were three other first-inning occurrences, plus a bunch in other innings (none in extras, though). Boston's 1953 inning had the most runs with 17.

    It happened two days apart in 1925, twice in 1996, three times in 1997 (the Giants were on both ends of such an inning that year), twice in 2003, and the Yankees beat up on Tampa Bay twice in 2005.

    All innings are represented at least once, the third inning being the only one that is listed only once. That makes sense since the third inning often starts somewhere in the lower part of the order.

  7. Raphy Says:

    Whiz- Nice. You need to add the Indians 2nd inning on 4/18 to complete the list.

  8. whiz Says:

    I checked and the only times (in the existing gamelogs from 1901 to 2008) a team scored 10 or more runs in an extra inning were:

    19280706 NYA 11 runs @ DET in inning 11
    19690621 MIN 11 runs @ OAK in inning 10
    19830703 TEX 12 runs @ OAK in inning 15

  9. Baseball-Reference Blog » Blog Archive » Rounding Off the 14+ Run Innings Says:

    [...] (EDIT- For a more complete list, please see whiz’s comment here) [...]

  10. whiz Says:

    Oops, yes, mine were through 2008 only 🙂

  11. Raphy Says:

    Wow Whiz. I had that extra inning post (minus the 1928 game) set up and ready to go. Nice job.

  12. JohnnyTwisto Says:

    I remember reading a story about one of those Brooklyn games in the '50s. Supposedly the starting pitcher got knocked out, showered, left the park, went to a bar, and couldn't believe when he saw the opposing team was still batting in the first inning.

  13. whiz Says:

    LOL, I'm like a kid with a new toy once I got the program set up.

    Games with two or more 10-run innings (I scanned the output by eye, so I might have missed one):

    19220825 CHN 10 runs vs PHI in inning 2
    19220825 CHN 14 runs vs PHI in inning 4 (CHN won 26-23!)

    19290706 SLN 10 runs @ PHI in inning 1
    19290706 SLN 10 runs @ PHI in inning 5 (SLN won 28-6)

    19330603 PHA 11 runs @ NYA in inning 3
    19330603 NYA 10 runs vs PHA in inning 5
    (the only time two teams did it to each other in the same game, NYA won 17-11 -- PHA didn't score in any other inning!)

    19430710 BRO 10 runs vs PIT in inning 1
    19430710 BRO 10 runs vs PIT in inning 4 (BRO won 23-6)

    And the only time it happened in both games of a doubleheader:

    19690730 HOU 11 runs @ NYN in inning 9 (HOU won game 1, 16-3)
    19690730 HOU 10 runs @ NYN in inning 3 (HOU won game 2, 11-5)

  14. ImAShark Says:

    Wow, thanks for all that information! I also know the all-time record for one inning is 18 runs, set by Chicago on September 6, 1883.

  15. ImAShark Says:

    Another 14-run inning is the New York Yankees on July 6, 1920 in the 5th inning.

  16. whiz Says:

    ImAShark, interesting info. The Retrosheet gamelogs for 1920 and many other years don't give inning by inning scores, so there are undoubtably other games out there as well. Where did you find that one?

  17. ImAShark Says:

    The 18-run inning is listed as a record on many different sites (I got it from Baseball Almanac, though), and the Yankee game in 1920 is on Retrosheet.

  18. tomepp Says:

    Wow! Awesome research, all!

  19. ImAShark Says:

    Here's a full list of every team ever to do it:
    Date Team Runs Inning
    May 13, 1876 Hartford Dark Blues 15 4
    August 7, 1877 Chicago White Stockings 13 2
    June 22, 1882 Providence Grays 13 3
    September 6, 1883 Chicago White Stockings 18 7
    September 8, 1883 New York Gothams 13 3
    August 7, 1889 Cleveland Spiders 14 3
    June 26, 1890 Philadelphia Quakers 14 6
    July 18, 1890 New York Giants 13 4
    August 16, 1890 Chicago Colts 13 5
    June 17, 1891 Washington Senators 14 1
    June 18, 1893 Cincinnati Reds 14 1
    April 24, 1894 Baltimore Orioles 14 9
    June 18, 1894 Boston Beaneaters 16 1
    July 25, 1900 Boston Beaneaters 13 1
    May 13, 1911 New York Giants 13 1
    July 6, 1920 New York Yankees 14 5
    August 25, 1922 Chicago Cubs 14 4
    July 7, 1923 Cleveland Indians 13 6
    June 15, 1925 Philadelphia Athletics 13 8
    June 17, 1925 Detroit Tigers 13 6
    September 26, 1943 Chicago White Sox 13 4
    June 21, 1945 New York Yankees 13 5
    July 4, 1948 Boston Red Sox 14 7
    June 18, 1950 Cleveland Indians 14 1
    May 21, 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers 15 1
    June 18, 1953 Boston Red Sox 17 7
    August 8, 1954 Brooklyn Dodgers 13 8
    April 21, 1956 Kansas City Royals 13 2
    May 7, 1966 San Francisco Giants 13 3
    September 20, 1972 Atlanta Braves 13 2
    April 10, 1977 Cleveland Indians 13 8
    September 14, 1978 California Angels 13 9
    August 3, 1989 Cincinnati Reds 14 1
    July 8, 1990 Milwaukee Brewers 13 5
    August 24, 1993 San Diego Padres 13 1
    May 31, 1994 San Diego Padres 13 2
    April 19, 1996 Texas Rangers 16 8
    July 5, 1996 Oakland Athletics 13 1
    May 7, 1997 Montreal Expos 13 6
    May 12, 1997 Anaheim Angels 13 7
    July 15, 1997 San Francisco Giants 13 7
    August 8, 2001 Detroit Tigers 13 9
    April 13, 2003 Philadelphia Phillies 13 4
    June 27, 2003 Boston Red Sox 14 1
    April 18, 2005 New York Yankees 13 2
    June 21, 2005 New York Yankees 13 2
    April 18, 2009 Cleveland Indians 14 8

  20. DoubleDiamond Says:

    20030413 PHI 13 runs @ CIN in inning 4

    These were the only runs the Phillies scored in that game, which I believe set a team record for most runs scored in one inning in which they didn't score any other runs in the same game. And since it was a road game, they had 8 other innings in which to do this scoring!

    Also, they scored those 13 runs in the 4th inning of the 13th day of the 4th month of the year.

    (The Phillies and the Reds have also "exchanged" 22-run games against each other in just under 10 years, with the Reds winning 22-3 on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend in 1999 and the Phillies winning 22-1 on the Monday after July 4 weekend this year.)