Style question

He finished 3-of-6 from the field, including 2-for-2 on 3s.

Should both of these be hyphenated? Should either of them? What's the rule, cause even on AP stories, I've read it several different ways.

 

Never wear flip-flops with socks.

 

yes, they should be hyphenated.

 

Are pleated pants fashionable?

 

We don't hyphenate them in instances like that, just when they modify.

He was 2 for 3.

He finished a 10-for-15 night with...blah blah blah.

 

Really? How about in a baseball game?

Garciaparra went 2 for 3 .... or 2-for-3.

 

Readers don't care, but ... hyphenate as a modifier, not when standing alone.

 

Easiest way to remember: If you can take away the second number and it makes sense, you don't need to hyphenate it.

Shaquille O'Neal made 6 of 15 free throws as the Heat lost their title.
Shaquille O'Neal made 6 free throwns as the heat lost their title. <---That works.

Shaquille O'Neal went 6-of-15 from the charity stripe as the Heat lost their title
Shaquille O'Neal went 6 from the charity stripe as the Heat lost their title. <--That doesn't.

 

This is one of the many things about AP that piss me off. They don't follow their own logic rules.

If it is a noun, no hyphens. If it is an adjective, use hyphens.

He went 3 for 3 from the plate. But, He had a 3-for-3 effort.