text: how is a winning pitcher determined? by this, i mean how is it determined which pitcher is given credit for the win, ie, starter or bullpen. winning pitcher in a ball game. starting pitcher has to leave the ball game with the lead lets say 5-4 at the half way point in which if the game was called due to weather or any other odd thing, 9 innings they call it the 5th inning so both teams get the same amount of field time. now he can leave with the lead and the team win and not get it if the other team scores more then what his team had when he left. so if its 6-5 final he would get the no decision and the pitcher who was pitching at the time they scored the winning run would get the win. easy and clear as mud huh.   main thing to remember is after 5 who ever is pitching for the team that won when the winning run happend. not the next inning but that inning.