ROYAL CITY - Things don't always work out as they should in sports.

The Royal High baseball team learned that last week when its pitchers hurled a no-hitter at Quincy and lost, 2-0.

The pitchers, Brady Dixon and Kent Christensen, combined to strike out the Jacks 13 times and allowed only three walks.

Royal also struggled to record hits, rapping the ball smartly but right at defenders. The Knights struck out only five times.

The outcome was settled in the first inning, when things just went wrong for the Royal defense. The first two batters were walked and then advanced a base on a past ball, placing them at second and third with no outs.

The third batter hit a ball over second base that was caught for an out by the second baseman. The runner at third tagged up and ran home.

The throw was a little bit up the line and was cut off by the pitcher. Then he overthrew to third. That allowed both runners to score.

As consolation, Christensen and Dixon should be aware there is major league precedence for their misfortune. Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched a no-hitter against Hank Aaron and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1959 and lost 1-0 in 13 innings.

Haddix pulled off a feat that day that no one has ever matched. He pitched a perfect game for 12 innings, 36 up, 36 down. His gem was undone by an error in the 13th.