Royals are just the third team in 125 years to lose after quirky pitching line
Royals left-hander Cole Ragans didn’t overpower the Tigers on Tuesday night, but he still blanked Detroit over six innings at Comerica Park.
Unfortunately for the Royals, the bullpen couldn’t hold a one-run lead and the Tigers won 2-1.
Ragans allowed just one hit but he walked four and only struck out one in those six innings. It was an unusual pitching line for Ragans, who was fifth in MLB in strikeouts in 2024.
Kurtis Seabolt of WHB (810 AM) noted that Ragans was just the 21st pitcher in MLB history to allow no runs, one hit or fewer and issue four walks in six or more innings.
The first was done 125 years ago by Cleveland’s Pete Dowling in 1901. Fun fact, Dowling was suspended later that season after he punched umpire Al Mannassau in the head, according to SABR.
Of those 21 pitchers who have had that specific pitching line, 18 saw their team win the game. The three to have their team lose were the Dodgers’ Vicente Padilla in 2010, the Nationals’ Jerome Williams in 2007 and Ragans’ Royals on Tuesday night.
Baseball is just full of weird historical stats. And I love it.
