earned run average

American  

[urnd ruhn av-er-ij, av-rij] / ˈɜrnd ˈrʌn ˌæv ər ɪdʒ, ˌæv rɪdʒ /

noun

Baseball.

1. a measure of the effectiveness of a pitcher, calculated by dividing the number of earned runs scored against the pitcher by the number of innings pitched and multiplying the result by nine: ERA

   His earned run average is currently a worrisome 6.21, as he has pitched 42 innings and given up 29 earned runs.

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Etymology

Origin of earned run average

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

He led the league in earned run average four years running.

From Los Angeles Times

That couldn’t have worked any better: Lugo and Wacha each finished among the top 10 in earned run average in the American League, and the duo combined to pitch 373 innings.

From Los Angeles Times

And, as evidenced by their 22nd-ranked team earned run average, it has led to a slew of cascading side effects.

From Los Angeles Times

But on the mound, an uncharacteristically shaky Dodgers pitching staff — which ranks 22nd in earned run average so far this season — stumbled once again.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2022, he led the Korea Baseball Organization, the country’s top league, in earned run average and strikeouts.

From New York Times