PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Phillies pitcher Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter in South Philadelphia against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.
It's the first time a Phils pitcher has thrown a no-hitter in the regular season since Cole Hamels on July 25, 2015, in Chicago. The last time it happened in South Philly was in 2010, with Roy Halladay.
The 31-year-old Lorenzen made the All-Star team this season for the Detroit Tigers before the Phillies acquired him at the trade deadline for a minor leaguer. He turned around and threw a season-high eight innings of two-run ball in his Phillies debut last week.
Wednesday night was a dazzling performance in only his second start with his new team.
The crowd of 30,406 erupted when Lorenzen retired Dominic Smith on a flyball 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.
That was an incredible baseball game.
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) August 10, 2023
1 -- Weston Wilson homers in his first MLB plate appearance.
2 -- Nick Castellanos hits his 200th home run.
3 -- Michael Lorenzen pitches the 14th no-hitter in Philadelphia Phillies history.
August 9, 2023 at Citizens Bank Park
Wow
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 high-fives — 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.
"Honestly 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."
Phillies left fielder Weston Wilson homered in his first major league plate appearance and after nearly 2,900 at-bats in the minor leagues.
Wilson, who turns 29 next month, was greeted by teammate Bryce Harper at the top step of the dugout, while his family cheered on one of the newest Phillies from the stands.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
