Question: What former Houston pitcher recorded the only losing nine-inning no-hitter in the history of Major League Baseball?
Answer: Ken Johnson. On April 23, 1964, the Houston Colt .45s lost 1-0 to the Cincinnati Reds, despite Johnson’s stellar outing in which he recorded no hits, 12 strikeouts, and just two walks. In the top of the ninth inning, Johnson fielded a bunt by Pete Rose but threw wide of first base. Rose reached second on the error, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored when second baseman Nellie Fox bobbled a routine ground ball.
After the game, Johnson quipped, “Say, I guess that will put me in baseball history? What a way to get in the book.”
