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Most Runs Scored in an MLB Game: 2023 Edition

most runs in an mlb game

Which team has the record for most runs scored in an MLB game? These teams completely dominated and obliterated their opponents into the record books.

Most Runs in an MLB Game

We take a look at the top 10 most runs scored by a team in a single game since the World Series began in 1903. 

10. Chicago Cubs (26) vs. Rockies (7) 

Coors Field is one of the biggest MLB stadiums by capacity. Sitting at 5,200 feet above sea level it’s the highest altitude stadium in Major League Baseball and was always destined to play host to the most runs in an MLB game by a team.

On August 18, 1995, the Chicago Cubs jumped out of the blocks with a seven-run first inning, scoring 26 runs in total which included three home runs and 27 hits.

9. Texas Rangers (26) vs. Baltimore Orioles (7) 

On April 19, 1996, the Texas Rangers obliterated the Baltimore Orioles 26-7 at The Ballpark in Arlington. The game was actually competitive for most of it with the Rangers only leading 10-7 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Rangers then exploded and scored 16 runs in the eighth inning that saw Juan Gonzalez hitting a home run and driving in six, and Dean Palmer launching two homers and driving in five. Texas fell a run short of equalling the most runs in a single inning in the modern baseball era.

8. Kansas City Royals (26) vs. Detroit Tigers (5) 

The Kansas City Royals erupted against the Detroit Tigers on September 9, 2004 in a 26-5 romp played at Comerica Park. Rookie Zack Greinke started for Kansas City and he gave up three runs on six hits over five innings but it mattered little.

Five pitchers were used by the Tigers and Kansas City recorded 26 hits. Somehow the Royals only managed one home run with Angel Berroa hitting a three-run homer. Even the Tigers hit more homers with Craig Monroe and Rondell White going the distance.

7. Cleveland Indians (27) vs. Boston Red Sox (3)

On July 7, 1923 the Cleveland Indians scored 27 runs to score the seventh most runs in an MLB game. Cleveland destroyed the Boston Red Sox 27-3. Rube Lutzke and Riggs Stephenson were the stars of the show and combined to drive home 11 runs. 

Cleveland scored in every inning of the game and their largest haul came in the sixth inning where they scored 13 of their 27 runs.

6. St. Louis Cardinals (28) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (6) 

On July 6, 1929 the St. Louis Cardinals smashed the Philadelphia Phillies 28-6, with the Cardinals setting the tone early by scoring 10 runs in the first inning. By the fifth inning, St. Louis was ahead 13-3. Hall of Famers Jim Bottomley and Chick Hafey led the rout. Bottomley scored a homer and drove in seven runs. Hafey went 5-for-7 with a pair of doubles and five RBIs.

5. Toronto Blue Jays (28) vs. Boston Red Sox (5)

The most recent addition to our list of the most runs in an MLB game is the Toronto Blue Jays 28-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox on July 22, 2022. The Blue Jays annihilated Boston at Fenway Park with a 29-hit outburst. 

Raimel Tapia hit an inside-the-park grand slam which was the first since Kansas City Royals outfielder Michael A. Taylor hit one in 2017. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. recorded a career-high six hits and drove in five runs, while Tapia drove in a career-high six runs.

4. Boston Red Sox (29) vs. St Louis Browns (4) 

On June 19, 1950, the Boston Red Sox destroyed the St. Louis Browns 29-4 led by Hall of Famers Bobby Doerr, who scored three home runs and drove in eight, and Ted Williams who hit two homers and drove in five.

The Red Sox scored eight runs in the second innings to get it all started. In total Boston hit seven home runs, 28 hits and 60 total bases.

3. Chicago White Sox (29) vs. Kansas City A’s (6) 

The Chicago White Sox scored a massive 29-6 win over the Kansas CIty Athletics on April 23, 1955. A’s starter Bobby Shantz didn’t survive the second inning, and was charged with nine runs (eight earned) in an inning and two-thirds.

Minnie Minoso and Sherm Lollar featured for the White Sox and each homered and drove in five for Chicago, with Lollar going deep twice. Bob Nieman was the star, homering twice and driving in seven. Even starting pitcher Jack Harshman had a home run of his own.

2. Atlanta Braves (29) vs. Miami Marlins (9)

On September 9, 2020, the Atlanta Braves set a National League record for most runs in an MLB game by smashing 29 runs against the Miami Marlins in a 29-9 drubbing. The Braves smashed seven homers in a game that they dominated, and they only batted eight innings in total.

Adam Duvall was the main star of the day for the Braves. Duvall belted three homers and drove in nine runs. It was a purple patch for Duvall, with the haul being the second time in eight days that he had hit three home runs.

1. Texas Rangers (30) vs. Baltimore Orioles (3)

The Texas Rangers scored the most runs in an MLB game on August 22, 2007 scoring 30 runs in a 30-3 demolition of the Baltimore Orioles. At the end of the third inning the Orioles were leading three runs to nothing.

In the fourth inning the Rangers scored five, laying the foundation for the most runs scored in a single game in the modern era. Grand slams by Marlon Byrd and Travis Metcalf in the sixth and ninth innings helped to tick the scoreboard over, and Texas went 8-for-25 (.720) when runners were in scoring positions.

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