<P> Since 1990, this has changed even further, as winning 20 or more games in a single season is now achieved by only a handful of pitchers each season . For example, in 2004 only three of the more than five hundred major league pitchers did so . In 2006 and again in 2009, no pitcher in either league won 20 games . The last pitcher to win 25 games was Bob Welch in 1990 . </P> <P> The New York Times wrote in 2011 that as advanced statistics have expanded, a pitcher's win - loss record has decreased in importance . For example, Félix Hernández won the Cy Young Award in 2010 in spite of a 13--12 record . Many times a win is substantially out of the pitcher's control; even a dominant pitcher cannot record a win if his team does not score any runs for him . For instance, in 2004, Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Ben Sheets had a losing record of 12--14, despite displaying a league - best 8: 1 strikeout - to - walk ratio and was among the top 5 pitchers in ERA (2.70) and WHIP (0.98). In addition to their dependence on run support, wins for a starting pitcher are also dependent on bullpen support . A starting pitcher can pitch brilliantly, leaving the game with the lead, and then watch helplessly from the dugout as the bullpen blows the save and gives up the lead . That would entitle the starting pitcher to a no - decision instead of a win despite the strong performances, regardless of whether or not the team ends up winning . Starting pitchers on teams with a weak bullpen tend to have fewer wins because of this . Likewise, a pitcher can give a poor performance and give up many runs and leave the game earlier than desired, but still win because his team scored even more runs . Some prefer the quality start statistic as an indication of how many times a starting pitcher gave his team a realistic chance to win . </P>

When does a relief pitcher get a win