The following is a short, yet surprisingly long, list of pitcher who threw a complete game no-hitter - and lost.

Ken Johnson (Houston Astros)

Cincinnati 1, Houston 0

April 23, 1964

Line: 9 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 9 K

With one out in the top of the ninth with no score, Pete Rose reached  and advanced to second on an errant throw by Johnson. Chico Ruiz then grounded out after a ball deflected off of Johnson to third baseman Bob Aspromonte who threw out Ruiz. Rose advanced to third. Vada Pinson the reached on an error by second baseman Nellie Fox (yes, that Nellie Fox), allowing Rose to score.

Moral of the story: The Royals had no business losing last night.

Andy Hawkins (New York Yankees)

New York 0, Chicago 4

July 1, 1990

Line: 8 IP, 4 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 3 K

With no score and two out in the bottom of the eighth, Sammy Sosa reached on an error by shortstop Alvaro Espinoza. Sosa stole second base, but it would matter as White Sox shortstop Ozzie Guillen walked after being down in the count one ball, two strikes. Hawkins then walked L. Johnson on four pitches to load the bases. Rookie Robin Ventura then stepped to the plate. Hawkins got the rookie to swing at the first pitch and hit playable fly ball to left field. Sadly, leftfielder Jim Leyritz could handle what would have been the third out in the inning. Sosa, Guillen and Johnson all scored, Ventura ended up on second base. Five pitches later, Ivan Calderon added insult to injury, hitting a fly ball to right field that was misplayed by Jesse Barfield. Ventura scored.

Hope was in the air when Steve Balboni reached on an error by Guillen, but Barfield grounded into a double play five pitches later to end the game.

Moral of the story: The Royals had no business losing last night.

Matt Young (Boston Red Sox)

Boston 1, Cleveland 2

April 12, 1992

Line: 8 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 6 K

Matt Young walked the first batter he saw, Kenny Lofton, and the game was over. Lofton stole second and third base during an at-bat in which Glennallen Hill would strike out. Carlos Baerga reached on a throwing error by Boston shortstop Luis Rivera allowing Lofton to score. Cleveland would tack on another run in the third after back-to-back walks by Mark Lewis and Lofton. Lofton would be retired on a fielder’s choice by Hill, Lewis advanced to third. Baerga then grounded into a fielder’s choice, which allowed Lewis to score.

Moral of the story: The Royals had no business losing last night.

(Please note the sarcasm.)