DETROIT – Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter Wednesday in just his second start since the Detroit Tigers traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies.
After signing a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Tigers in the offseason, Lorenzen made 18 starts prior to the trade deadline, posting a 3.58 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. He was Detroit’s lone representative in the All-Star Game.
New team president Scott Harris capitalized on that strong first half, trading Lorenzen to the Phillies on deadline day in exchange for infield prospect Hao-Yu Lee.
In his debut with the Phillies, Lorenzen allowed just two runs over eight innings in a win over the Miami Marlins. He was even better Wednesday, tossing nine no-hitting innings with five strikeouts and four walks against the Washington Nationals.
Lorenzen was a great offseason addition for Harris, especially since the Tigers took on very little risk and got a prospect in return. But as Detroit continues to struggle year after year, watching another player leave and have more success probably isn’t making fans feel any better.
