Six Passed Balls, No Errors, No Earned Runs: Tigers Win, 7-0
The Detroit Tigers’ 7-0 victory over the Texas Rangers Sunday at Detroit ranks as one of the most unusual games in baseball history.
Doyle Alexander pitched a complete game three-hitter to keep the Tigers on top by a game in the American League East, but that wasn’t so remarkable.
What made the Tigers’ victory unique is that although the Rangers did not make an error, all of Detroit’s runs were unearned.
Catcher Gene Petralli, trying without much success to hang onto Charlie Hough’s knuckleballs, tied an 85-year major league record by committing six passed balls that led to all seven Tiger runs. The record was set by Harry Vickers of Cincinnati in 1902. Many catchers have had five passed balls.
Lou Whitaker, who scored four runs, reached base once after striking out when the third strike was a passed ball.
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