Phillies Lorenzen Makes History in More Ways Than One

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen made history Wednesday night, tossing the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history.

The lanky 6-foot-3 pitcher from Anaheim, California, who didn't become a full-time starting pitcher in the Major's until last season, needed 124 pitches to put away the last place Nationals.

While Lorenzen wasn't perfect, he walked four batters, he became tougher on the Nats hitters as the game wore on.  The last batter he walked was Joey Meneses in the sixth inning. After that, Lorenzen retired the final 10 batters to face him to cement the historic moment.

Not only did Lorenzen become the first Phillies pitcher to toss a no-no since Cole Hamels did it in 2015, but, Lorenzen became the fifth pitcher in major league history, and second since 1900, to throw a no-hitter in his home debut with a new team.

That is because two weeks ago, Lorenzen was a member of the Detroit Tigers.

Lorenzen had struggled most of the year with the Tigers, before turning things around in July where he tossed 19.1 consecutive shutout innings, before getting tagged for three runs against the LA Angels in his final start in Detroit.  Five days later he was on his way to Philly for prospect Hao Yu-Lee.

For throwing the no-hitter the Phillies presented Lorenzen with the pitcher's rubber.

Lorenzen, who lost his father back in 2016 got emotional when asked to encapsulate the moment with his family in mind.

What had to make the moment even harder was the fact Lorenzen's mother  Cheryl, his wife, Cassi, and their nine-month old daughter June were in the stands to watch the historic night unfold.

Unlike the Mets and Yankees up north on the Turnpike, the Phillies are primed for another postseason run. After opening the season at 25-32 on June 1, the Phillies are 38-20 since, and find themselves +3.5 games ahead in the wild card race.