<P> There are two exceptions to this rule . The first is that a starting pitcher must complete five innings to earn a win ( four innings for a game that lasts five innings on defense ) . If he fails to do so , he is ineligible to be the winning pitcher even if he last pitched prior to the half - inning when his team took the lead for the last time , and the official scorer awards the win to the relief pitcher who , in the official scorer 's judgment , was the most effective . </P>
<P> There are two exceptions to this rule . The first is that a starting pitcher must complete five innings to earn a win ( four innings for a game that lasts five innings on defense ) . If he fails to do so , he is ineligible to be the winning pitcher even if he last pitched prior to the half - inning when his team took the lead for the last time , and the official scorer awards the win to the relief pitcher who , in the official scorer 's judgment , was the most effective . </P>
who gets the win if starting pitcher does n 't go 5 innings
who gets the win if starting pitcher does n 't go 5 innings
the relief pitcher who , in the official scorer 's judgment , was the most effective
the relief pitcher who , in the official scorer 's judgment , was the most effective