What is the maximum number of batters in a baseball game in which the home team wins 3-2?

Answer 1

For this explanation, I will assume one batter is equal to one plate appearance and since the number of innings is not specified, I will assume a 9 inning game. These assumptions would make the answer 112.

The maximum number of batters in a half inning where no runs were scored would be 6 (3 outs, 3 runners left on base), the maximum number of batters in a half inning, other than the bottom of the final inning, where 1 run was scored would be 7 (3 outs, 3 runners left on base, 1 run scored), and the maximum of batters in a half inning, other than the bottom of the final inning, where 2 runs were scored would be 8 (3 outs, 3 runners left on base, 2 runs scored).

The visiting team would score 2 runs in 1 inning and no runs in 8 innings or 1 run in 2 innings and no runs in 7 innings. This would give them a total of 56 batters regardless of whether they scored 1 run in 2 innings ((7 * 6) + (2 * 7) = 56) or 2 runs in 1 inning ((8 * 6) + (1 * 8) = 56).

Through the home team's first eight at bats, they would score 2 runs in 1 inning and no runs in 7 innings or 1 run in 2 innings and no runs in 6 innings. This would give them a total of 50 batters entering the bottom of the ninth regardless of whether they scored 1 run in 2 innings ((6 * 6) + (2 * 7) = 50) or 2 runs in 1 inning ((7 * 6) + (1 * 8) = 50). In the bottom of the ninth, the home team would score the run to give them the 3-2 win. The maximum number of batters would be 6 (2 outs, 3 runners left on base, 1 run scored). This would give the home team a total of 56 batters.

Both teams would send 56 batters to the plate for a game total of 112.