Among the many pleasures afforded by the "Play Index" (subscription required) at Baseball-Reference.com is the ability to rank the best-pitched games of a particular season -- or of all-time -- by an objective measure, created by Bill James, called "game s
Among the many pleasures afforded by the "Play Index" (subscription required) at Baseball-Reference.com is the ability to rank the best-pitched games of a particular season -- or of all-time -- by an objective measure, created by Bill James, called "game score." To calculate it, start with 50 points, then add one point for each out recorded, two more points for every inning completed past the four

Sunday, July 20, 2008

JON LESTER

RED SOX

May 19 vs. Royals

Game score: 94

No surprise that Lester's no-hitter, which included nine strikeouts against only two walks, took the top prize. Interestingly, the 130 pitches he threw were the second-most by any pitcher in the first half.

JAMES SHIELDS

RAYS

May 9 vs. Angels

Game score: 93

One of two complete-game one-hitters thrown in the first half, Shields's gem included eight strikeouts, no walks and only 92 pitches.

HIROKI KURODA

DODGERS

July 7 vs. Braves

Game score: 91

This was the other complete-game one-hitter, highlighted by six strikeouts with no walks, and completed in a crisp 91 pitches.

TIM HUDSON

BRAVES

May 2 vs. Reds

Game score: 91

Hudson gave up three hits in this game (all of them singles), but his score was helped by his 10 strikeouts and no walks.

ROY HALLADAY

BLUE JAYS

July 11 vs. Yankees

MATT GARZA, RAYS

June 26 vs. Marlins

HIROKI KURODA, DODGERS

June 6 vs. Cubs

CLIFF LEE, INDIANS

April 24 vs. Royals

Game score: 90

Kuroda makes the list again, with a four-hit, no-walk, 11-strikeout gem.