NEWLY ACQUIRED LORENZEN TOSSES NO-NO FOR PHILLIES
Michael Lorenzen threw the 14th no-hitter in Philadelphia Phillies history, a dazzling performance in only his second start with his new team, which beat the Washington Nationals 7-0 on Wednesday night.
The 31-year-old Lorenzen (7-7) struck out five, walked four and improved to 2-0 since he was acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline for a minor leaguer.
Lorenzen retired Lane Thomas on a grounder to open the ninth and struck out Joey Meneses looking. The crowd of 30,406 erupted when Lorenzen retired
Dominic Smith on a fly ball on his career-high 124th pitch to end his first career complete game in 2 hours, 9 minutes. Lorenzen flipped his cap backward and was mobbed by his teammates in a rowdy celebration near the plate.
“I didn’t strike out the world in this game. When you are pitching, balls can land in different places. I just had God’s grace today,” Lorenzen said.
Lorenzen’s mother, Cheryl, and wife, Cassi, wept in the stands during the final out, with Cassi holding their baby daughter, June.
“It was incredible. Walking out for the seventh, eighth and ninth, man, these fans. I’ve never been part of an organization where fans are a part of the team,” Lorenzen said. “And they gave me that boost that I needed . ... If you are feeling fatigued, you don’t feel it at all in front of these fans.”
His teammates lingered near the dugout and continued the line of hugs and highfives — a scene not unlike the ones last October at Citizens Bank Park.
Lorenzen proved he can play a key role in leading the Phillies back to the postseason.
The Phillies acquired the right-hander to stabilize their rotation down the stretch.
Lorenzen pushed his pitch count to the point where it was questionable if manager Rob Thomson would let him finish the game. But he kept the ball and became the first Phillies pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Cole Hamels on July 25, 2015 against the Cubs. Hamels retired last week.
“I was upset at myself for the first couple of innings, they were long innings, walking guys. And I knew I was just ruining my chances to go deep in this game,” Lorenzen said. “Thankfully (Thomson) pulled me aside and asked how I was feeling. I said ‘I feel good, it’s nice and cool outside’ ... just trying to buy some more innings and he gave them to me. So hats off to him.”
Washington was no-hit for the first time in its 19 seasons since the franchise moved from Montreal.
Notable
The Dodgers will welcome Clayton Kershaw back to the rotation today following his six-week absence with a shoulder injury.
Walker Buehler and
Blake Treinen faced hitters in a simulated game at Chase Field on Wednesday, their first live action since undergoing surgeries last year.
RHP Kyle Barraclough was selected to Boston’s major league roster and LHP
Brandon Walter was recalled from Worcester. RHP
Nick Robertson was optioned to Worcester, and RHP Dinelson Lamet was designated for assignment.
New Giants OF AJ Pollock will be sidelined for about three weeks with a strained left oblique muscle.
The Cubs are moving struggling LHP Drew Smyly to the bullpen. Rookie RHP
Javier Assad will take Smyly’s spot in the rotation this weekend at Toronto