Michael Lorenzen took the mound to commence the ninth inning, marking only his second start with the Phillies and his first in Philadelphia. The fervent cheers of fans, rallying behind him to complete a no-hitter, provided Lorenzen with an exhilarating experience that he considered the pinnacle of his baseball career.
“Stepping out of the dugout, hearing the fans erupt, it sent shivers down my spine,” Lorenzen remarked. “It provided the surge of energy I needed, without a doubt.”
The scene in Philadelphia escalated to a whole new level just three outs later.
Lorenzen’s remarkable performance led to the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history, securing a commanding 7-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night. He became the fifth pitcher in Major League Baseball history, and only the second since 1900, to throw a no-hitter in his debut game at home for a new team.
Manager Rob Thomson expressed his amazement, raising a toast in the clubhouse and exclaiming, “Unbelievable, bro. Welcome to Philadelphia, buddy.”
Lorenzen received hearty applause and support from his new teammates, including Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins, who applauded, laughed, and shouted “great trade” as team president Dave Dombrowski made his rounds through the clubhouse.
The 31-year-old Lorenzen (7-7) struck out five batters, walked four, and improved to 2-0 since his acquisition from the Tigers in exchange for a minor leaguer.
Lorenzen efficiently retired Lane Thomas on a ground ball to start the ninth inning and struck out Joey Meneses looking. The crowd of 30,406 erupted in celebration when he induced a popup from Dominic Smith on his career-high 124th pitch, sealing his first-ever complete game in 2 hours and 9 minutes. As Lorenzen raised his arms in triumph on the mound, he was swiftly embraced by catcher J.T. Realmuto. The pitcher then flipped his cap backward and was enveloped in a jubilant celebration by his teammates near home plate.
Lorenzen’s mother, Cheryl, and wife, Cassi, were moved to tears in the stands during the final out. Holding their 9-month-old daughter, June, Cassi joined Lorenzen on the field, where he lifted his baby in the air and planted a kiss on her cheek.
The celebratory hugs and high-fives from his teammates near the dugout were reminiscent of the scenes from last October during Philadelphia’s journey to the World Series.
Lorenzen’s standout performance has positioned him as a potential leader in the Phillies’ push back to the postseason. Acquired by the Phillies to bolster their rotation as they contend for the top wild-card spot against the San Francisco Giants, Lorenzen has quickly made a significant impact since joining the team.
Despite pushing his pitch count to a level where it raised questions about whether Thomson would allow him to finish the game, Lorenzen persevered and etched his name in Phillies history. He became the first Phillies pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Cole Hamels achieved the feat on July 25, 2015, against the Cubs.
Lorenzen’s extraordinary achievement marks the fourth no-hitter in the majors this season, solidifying his place as a pivotal asset for the Phillies’ future success.