Most Runs Scored Without A Multi-Run Player

Last night

, the Braves scored 9 runs (which is notable enough), but what was really interesting was that no player scored twice. Which teams in MLB history have scored the most runs without a multi-run player?

As it turns out, the Braves’ feat of 9 runs scored–1 each from 9 different players–is not all that uncommon. In fact, lots of teams have had 10 runs scored by 10 different players. However, only 5 teams have scored more than 10 in this fashion:

Let’s go through each game briefly to see how this sort of thing can happen.

1970 Twins

Starters who scored 1 run (with lineup spot & position):
1. Cesar Tovar

(CF), 2. Danny Thompson (2B), 3. Harmon Killebrew (3B), 4. Tony Oliva (RF), 5. Brant Alyea (LF), 6. Rich Reese (1B), 7. Leo Cardenas (SS), 9. Jim Kaat (P)

Bench players who scored 1 run:
Rick Renick

(PH-LF, 2 PA), Frank Quilici (PR, 0 PA), Paul Ratliff (C, 1 PA), Bob Allison (PH, 1 PA). Quilici pinch-ran and scored for the only Twins starter  who did not score a run, Tom Tischinski .

Players who batted but did not score:
8. Tischinski (C, 3 PA), Charlie Manuel

(PH, 1 PA)

When runs were scored:
1 each in 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 8th innings and 8 in the 10th inning. That’s right, this game was tied 4-4 after 9 innings before the Twins broke it open with 3 singles, 3 doubles, and 4 walks (3 intentional) in the 10th.

Times on base:
27 in all, so the Twins scored 44% of their baserunners. 16 hits (12 singles, 4 doubles), 10 walks (3 intentional), and a reach on error

2006 Rockies (Yes, this was at Coors)

Starters who scored 1 run (with lineup spot & position):
1. Jamey Carroll

(2b), 2. Cory Sullivan (CF), 3. Todd Helton (1B), 4. Matt Holliday (LF), 5. Garrett Atkins (3B), 6. Brad Hawpe (RF), 7. JD Closser (C), 8. Omar Quintanilla (SS), 9. Jason Jennings (P)

Bench players who scored 1 run:
Ryan Spilborghs

(PH, 1 PA), Jorge Piedra (PH, 1 PA), Choo Freeman (PH-CF, 2 PA)

Players who batted but did not score:
None! Everyone who batted scored exactly once, which must be an incredibly rare feat.

When runs were scored:
3 in the 1st, 4 each in the 4th and 6th, and 1 in the 8th

Times on base:
15 in all, so the Rockies scored an astonishing 80% of their runners. 12 hits (7 singles, 1 double, 2 triples, & 2 homers) and 3 walks.

1960 Senators

Starters who scored 1 run (with lineup spot & position):
1. Billy Gardner

(2B-SS), 2. Lenny Green (CF), 4. Jim Lemon (LF), 5. Reno Bertoia (3B-2B), 6. Bob Allison (RF), 7. Earl Battey (C)

Bench players who scored 1 run:
Pete Whisenant

(PR-LF, 0 PA), Dan Dobbek (RF, 1 PA), Billy Consolo (PR-SS, 2 PA), Julio Becquer (PH-1B, 1 PA), Faye Throneberry (PH, 1 PA)

Players who batted but did not score:
3. Harmon Killebrew (1B-3B, 6 PA), despite 3 walks!; 8. Jose Valdivielso

(SS, 2 PA); 9. Don Lee (P, 2 PA); Ray Moore (P, 1 PA); Tex Clevenger (P, 1 PA)

When runs were scored:
1 in the 4th, 6th in the 7th, and 4 in the 11th. With the extra-inning outburst, this game was very similar to the game featuring the same franchise 10 years later. By the way, Killebrew and Allison played in both games, though Killebrew only scored in the later game and Allison only started in the earlier game.

Times on base:
23 in all, so the Senators scored 48% of their runners. 11 hits (8 singles, 2 doubles, & 1 homer), 11 walks (2 intentional), and a reach on error.

1960 Orioles

Starters who scored 1 run (with lineup spot & position):
1. Marv Breeding

(2B), 2. Gene Woodling (LF), 3. Willie Tasby (RF), 4. Walt Dropo (1B), 5. Brooks Robinson (3B), 6. Jackie Brandt (CF), 7. Gus Triandos (C), 8. Ron Hansen (SS)

Bench players who scored 1 run:
Al Pilarcik

(PH-RF, 2 PA), Jim Gentile (PH-1B, 3 PA), Albie Pearson (PH-CF, 3 PA)

Players who batted but did not score:
Rip Coleman

(P, 1 PA), Arnie Portocarrero (P, 1 PA)… Note: Starting pitcher Jerry Walker did not bat

When runs were scored:
3 in the 1st, 5 in the 4th, and 3 in the 6th

Times on base:
16 in all, so the Orioles scored 69% of their runners. Just 6 hits (4 singles, 1 double, & 1 homer), plus 10 walks

1922 Cardinals

Starters who scored 1 run (with lineup spot & position):
1. Les Mann

(CF), 2. Ray Blades (LF-SS), 3. Rogers Hornsby (2B), 4. Jim Bottomley (1B), 5. Milt Stock (3B), 7. Eddie Ainsmith (C)

Bench players who scored 1 run:
Heinie Mueller

(CF, 1 PA), Specs Toporcer (SS, 1 PA), Del Gainer (LF, 3 PA), Jack Smith (PR, 1 PA), Jack Fournier (PH, 1 PA)

Players who batted but did not score:
6. Joe Schultz

(RF, 5 PA), 8. Doc Lavan (SS, 2 PA), 9. Jeff Pfeffer (P, 2 PA), Verne Clemons , (PH, 1 PA), Bill Pertica (PH, 1 PA)

When runs were scored:
1 in the 1st, 5 in the 6th, and 5 in the 8th

Times on base:
19 in all, so the Orioles scored 58% of their runners. 11 hits (7 singles, 3 doubles, & 1 homer), 7 walks, and a reach on error

Summary

What do these games have in common? Well, the biggest thing is that most of the teams scored their runs in bunches rather than spreading them out. That makes sense, since if you spread the runs out, you’re more likely to have players be a part of multiple rallies (or none at all). But if you score a bunch of runs in a single inning, you often get 1 run scored for each player who bats that inning.

Another common thread is the use of a number of pinch-hitters and -runners. Obviously, if you stick to your starting 9, you’re not going to make this list, so having the bench contribute is a necessity.

Also, somewhat surprisingly, all of these were non-DH games. Because pitchers are so much less likely to score runs, I expected there to be some DH-era AL games, but none made the list.

Finally, in most of these games, the offense was walk-heavy and power-light. This makes sense, since homers are more likely to be clustered among certain hitters (i.e., sluggers), so the more homers a team hits, the less likely it is to make a list like this. Walks and singles are more likely to be evenly distributed throughout a lineup.

Hat tip to Twitter follower @Eric_Adam10 for pointing out that 9 different Braves scored 1 run each.