Walter Johnson’s 16-game winning streak ends under American League rules of the time. In the second game of a doubleheader against the Browns, he relieves Tom Hugheswith one out and two on in the 7th inning of a 2 – 2 game. The two runners score on a Pete Compton single up the middle and the Nationals lose, 4 – 3. The two runs are charged to Johnson, not Hughes, giving him the defeat. Under the National League’s rules, Johnson would not be charged with the loss. After the season, AL president Ban Johnson will change the rules to conform with the senior circuit, but he will deny he does it because of this game.

This Day In Baseball

On August 26, 1912 — Walter Johnson’s 16-game winning streak ends under American League rules of the time. In the second game of a doubleheader against the Browns, he relieves Tom Hugheswith one out and two on in the 7th inning of a 2 – 2 game. The two runners score on a Pete Compton single up the middle and the Nationals lose, 4 – 3. The two runs are charged to Johnson, not Hughes, giving him the defeat. Under the National League’s rules, Johnson would not be charged with the loss. After the season, AL president Ban Johnson will change the rules to conform with the senior circuit, but he will deny he does it because of this game.

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Sources:
Baseball Reference August 26
National Pastime August 26
Retro Sheet
Hall of Fame
SABR Games Project
Replay The Game