'One more pitch': Lorenzen's family hangs on every moment of no-no
Right-hander's no-hitter was a family affair at Citizens Bank Park
Manny Randhawa
@MannyOnMLBThrowing a no-hitter is a special accomplishment. But throwing a no-hitter with your family in attendance is an event so serendipitous that words are hard to come by when describing the feeling.
Just ask Michael Lorenzen, who did just that on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park in his home debut with the Phillies after being traded from the Tigers last week. Lorenzen blanked the Nationals during a 7-0 win in his second start in a Philadelphia uniform, completing the Phils' first no-hitter since Cole Hamels no-hit the Cubs in 2015, and the 14th no-no in franchise history.
As he made history on the mound, Lorenzen's wife, Cassi; baby daughter, June Elizabeth; and mother, Cheryl, were jubilant in the stands. Well, Cassi and Cheryl were jubilant -- before he finished the no-hitter, Cheryl had her arm around Cassi's shoulder as they both could be seen saying, "One more pitch. One more pitch." -- while little June Elizabeth was focused in on all that was happening.
"She's incredible," Lorenzen said during a postgame interview on MLB Network. "She's either as smiley as can be, or she's just stone-faced, stoic, locked in. When there's a lot going on around, she just kind of observes everything, and I love that about her."
Surely she gets some of that from her dad. Lorenzen was locked in for 124 pitches, and the game face didn't leave until the final out was recorded on a memorable night at Citizens Bank Park.
The emotions were flowing, especially when Lorenzen thought about his late father, Clif. In his first game following Clif's passing, Michael -- a two-way player when he entered the Majors -- hit his first big league home run on Aug. 19, 2016. Seven years later, he has thrown a no-hitter.
"[If he were here,] he'd be right there with my mom, jumping up and down and showing that type of excitement," Lorenzen said. "He would've been fired up, for sure. And I have three brothers at home that I know are celebrating, and a bunch of nieces and nephews that I know are celebrating as well."
Every no-hitter prompts a great celebration, but for Lorenzen, it was special not only for what he accomplished, but for the loved ones who were with him to relish the moment.