In a season full of unexpected outcomes, six pitchers earned wins under remarkable circumstances in 2025. These games featured high run totals allowed, comebacks and scoreless efforts despite numerous hits. The list underscores the role of luck and team support in baseball victories.
Baseball's 2025 season included several pitcher wins that stood out for their unusual nature, often involving luck, strong offense from teammates or defensive escapes. This annual tradition highlights moments where pitchers credited fortune for their success.
Tony Gonsolin of the Dodgers secured a win on May 30 against the Yankees, pitching 6 innings with 6 hits, 5 runs and 3 walks in an 8-5 victory. He allowed four home runs, the most by any winning pitcher that year, tied for the highest since 2019. Three were solo shots, and the Dodgers rallied in the sixth inning with a four-run outburst, sparked by Shohei Ohtani's second homer of the game, to take the lead.
Zac Gallen of the Diamondbacks earned a win on June 20 at Coors Field against the Rockies, allowing 10 hits and 7 runs over 5 innings in a 14-8 win. He gave up one run in the third and six in the fourth but limited further damage. This was the first of four such 7-run allowance wins in 2025.
Tomoyuki Sugano of the Orioles followed on June 27 versus the Rays, yielding 9 hits and 7 runs in 5 innings during a 22-8 blowout. Six runs came in the second inning, but Baltimore scored 22 total, including four in their half of the second, marking the largest comeback from a six-run deficit in at least 125 seasons.
Chris Bassitt of the Blue Jays pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Giants on July 18, allowing 10 hits but no runs in a 4-0 shutout. He induced two double plays and benefited from his bullpen, with Brendon Little stranding runners. This was the first such feat since 2015.
Sonny Gray of the Cardinals allowed 11 hits and 7 runs (6 earned) over 5 innings on July 24 versus the Padres in a 9-7 win. His counterpart Yu Darvish gave up 8 runs, providing the necessary support.
Max Fried of the Yankees rounded out the list on August 16 at the Cardinals, permitting 8 hits and 7 runs in 5 innings of a 12-8 victory. It echoed a 2011 Yankees win with 7 runs allowed.
These examples show how run support and timely plays can turn challenging outings into wins.