Patterson made his Major League Baseball debut with the Detroit Tigers on April 10, 1968. During the 1968 season, he appeared in 38 games, 37 as a relief pitcher, and compiled a 2.12 ERA, 49 strikeouts, and seven saves in 68 inning pitched. On July 27, 1968, he came into the game with the bases loaded and nobody out, and struck out the side. In the 1968 World Series, he pitched a total of three innings in Games 3 and 4 and did not allow an earned run. Patterson remained with the Tigers, though his ERA climbed to 2.82 in 22-1/3 innings pitched in 1969 and 4.85 in 78 innings pitched in 1970. In parts of four season with the Tigers, he compiled a 9-7 win-loss records with a 3.55 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 177-2/3 inning pitched. Early in the 1971 season, Patterson balked in a run. The Tigers' new manager Billy Martin accused Patterson of doing it on purpose, an accusation that Patterson called "the craziest thing I’d ever heard." Patterson later recalled that Martin "just didn't like me" and arranged to have him traded on May 22nd.
Athletics and Cardinals
On May 22, 1971, the Tigers traded Patterson to the Oakland Athletics for John Donaldson. He appeared in only four games for the Athletics, compiling a 7.94 ERA in 5-2/3 innings pitched. On June 25, 1971, the Athletics sold Patterson to the St. Louis Cardinals. He appeared in 13 games for the Cardinals, compiling a 4.39 ERA in 26-2/3 innings pitched.
Patterson was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 1973 season. He was brought up to the Pirates in 1974, compiled a 7.29 ERA in 21 inning pitched, and appeared in his last major league game on September 14, 1974. On July 14, 1974, Patterson was involved in a brawl during a game with the Cincinnati Reds where he was bitten and had his hair pulled by Reds pitcher Pedro Borbón. Patterson received a tetanus shot after the incident. Patterson concluded his playing career playing in the Pirates' minor league organization with the Charleston Charlies in 1974 and 1975. In five major league seasons, he compiled an 11–9 record with a 4.09 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 231 inning pitched. He appeared in 142 major league games, only three of them as a starting pitcher. Patterson went hitless in his major league career. He had 35 at-bats without a hit with 1 RBI and 2 bases on balls in 37 plate appearances
Later years
After retiring from baseball, Patterson worked for 20 years for Pacific Gas & Electric. As of 1998, Patterson was living in Clovis, California, near Fresno. As of 2014, he was still living near Fresno. As of 2019, Patterson was living near Clovis, California. He is enjoying his retirement years with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
