Pitchers have been all the rage in Major League Baseball lately, with Michael Lorenzen going the second game of August without a run or hit in the Phillies’ 7-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night in Philadelphia.
The 31-year-old Gunner pulled off the feat, giving up four walks and knocking out five batters. Johan Rojas was responsible for the final out by capturing the ball batted by Dominic Smith.
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The reaction of his family members was also filmed and it is impossible not to be touched by these images.
It is the 14th game without a run or hit in Phillies history, but the first since June 25, 2015. JT Realmuto was the catcher for a second game of the kind after assisting Edinson Volquez with the Miami Marlins in 2017.
This is a very special moment for Lorenzen as it was his first duel at Citizens Bank Park. The right-hander was taken on at close after playing the first half of the season with the Detroit Tigers.
Nick Castellanos hit two home runs in the win, including the 200th of his career.
Narrow victory for the Jays
In Cleveland, the Toronto Blue Jays answered the Guardians with a 1-0 win in a pitching duel.
The day before, the local heroes had won with the same number of points. It was George Springer who scored the only point with his 14th long ball of the season. In a real duel, LT Allen had to throw 13 shots before the outfielder hit his home run.
Kevin Gausman (9-7) was solid on the mound in a seven-inning outing. He allowed just four hits for the Guardians while knocking out six batters. Allen (5-5) also gave up four of five hits at bats.
Outfielder Whit Merrifield put on a show early in the game when he fended off Jose Ramirez with a jump catch.
It’s the Jays’ fifth win in six games, putting them second in the American League East within four games of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Florida team was beaten 6-4 by the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.