Michael Lorenzen had Phillies fans behind him Tuesday night, and he knew well before then how galvanizing their support can be.
Lorenzen had been a member of the team for just over a week when he made his memorable Citizens Bank Park Phillies debut, tossing a no-hitter Wednesday night. It was an incredible showing for Lorenzen, who has spun two gems since landing in Philly in a trade with the Tigers.
The starter’s arrival also has coincided with what has been a noteworthy stretch for the Phillies. Last Friday, Lorenzen got to witness fans rally behind Trea Turner by giving him standing ovations amid his struggles.
Lorenzen told Marks & Reese on Thursday that seeing the Turner situation made him want to get on the mound.
“Man, I’ve come here for eight years, nine years now, just on the other side,” Lorenzen said. “So when I knew I got to pitch for the fans and not against them, I was like man, this is going to be fun.
“Just seeing how they handled Trea and how they’ve played a huge role in getting him going, they’ve done a really good job of supporting us this homestand. Man, I couldn’t wait to get the ball yesterday. I was just champing at the bit to get the ball and pitch in front of the fans. To be able to have the results that I got, that wasn’t expected, but I’ll take it.”
Because the Phillies were on the road when the trade deadline took place, Turner’s ovation at home was Lorenzen’s first game in Philadelphia as a member of the team.
Suffice to say the reception made an impression on him.
"It gave me chills when he (got the ovation)," Lorenzen said. "And then you just saw him relax and each and every at-bat you just see the confidence build. When he actually has some success with the bat and he comes through and the fans are going crazy, you just see the momentum shift instantly. I was like man, these fans really did play a huge role in that. It’s incredible."
And just days later, he got his own incredible moment at CBP.
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