Rich Rundles

Richard Lambert Rundles (June 3, 1981 – December 16, 2019) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians in 2008 and 2009. From 1999 to 2012, Rundles played in minor league baseball with the Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles organizations.

Through minor-league innings, Rundles compiled a 3.34 ERA. A pitcher with good control, he was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the third round (88th overall) of the 1999 Major League Baseball draft. In 2001, Rundles pitched in Single-A for the Augusta GreenJackets and Clinton LumberKings, going 8–7 with a 2.41 ERA in 23 starts. In 142 innings, he walked 13 while striking out 114 in 132 innings. The Tribe moved Rundles to the bullpen in an attempt to avoid his durability issues.

Sent to the Double-A Akron Aeros in 2007, Rundles went 3–0 with a 1.83 ERA and two saves in 23 games (two starts). That earned him his first call to Triple-A, where he was 2–4 with a 2.70 ERA in 17 relief outings with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Rundles then went to the 2007 Arizona Fall League to continue his transition to relief. He allowed one run in 8 innings (1.04 ERA) over eight outings. He was called up to the majors on September 1, 2008, and made his major league debut on September 3. He faced one batter, allowing a walk to Jim Thome before being pulled. Rundles appeared in eight games for the Tribe that season, compiling a 1.80 ERA. He had a total of six strikeouts, three walks, and gave up one earned run through five innings of work from the bullpen. He spent most of the season with Columbus, going 2–2 with one save and a 4.75 ERA in 45 relief appearances.

On January 26, 2010, Rundles signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Orioles released him in April 2013.

In nine career MLB games, Rundles worked six innings and allowed six hits and four walks while striking out seven batters. He had a lifetime 1.50 ERA and a 1.667 WHIP. holding that position from 2014 to 2016.