Phillies no-hitter: Michael Lorenzen throws team's 14th no-hitter, shuts down Nationals on 124 pitches

Lorenzen, in his first home start as a Phillie, was the first pitcher to ever no-hit the Washington Nationals

Phillies right-hander Michael Lorenzen on Wednesday night in Philadelphia pitched a no-hitter against the Nationals in a 7-0 win. Lorezen made history in just his second start and first home start with the Phillies since being acquired from the Tigers leading up to the trade deadline. On the night, Lorenzen struck out five, walked four, and threw 124 pitches. 

To secure it, Lorezenzen threw a full-count slider to Dom Smith and induced a pop-up, which center fielder Johan Rojas was able to secure for the final out. It came in front of Lorenzen's mother, wife, and young daughter. Take a look:

Lorezen's is the first Phillies no-hitter since Cole Hamels' on July 25, 2015, and the first home no-hitter by a Phillies pitcher since Roy Halladay's in the 2010 National League Division Series. Lorenzen's is also the fourth no-hitter of the 2023 season. 

"I've watched every single one of Nolan Ryan's no-hitters, because I've always wanted to throw a no-hitter," Lorenzen said after the game while being interviewed on the Phillies' television broadcast. 

Lorenzen also crafted his memorable gem while wearing some unconventional baseball footwear, which is now headed to Cooperstown: 

Now for some additional things to know about Lorenzen's historic night. 

It's the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history

Lorenzen joins the list of Phillies pitchers to keep their appointments with history -- a list that dates back to 1895, when Charles Ferguson twirled a no-no against the Providence Grays. Jim Bunning's perfect game in 1964 is also on the list, as is Halladay's first no-hitter of 2010, which took place in May of that year. Hamels was also part of a combined no-hitter against the Braves on Labor Day in 2014. The Phillies are now tied with the Braves and Guardians for eighth-most no-hitters by an MLB franchise. 

It's the first time the Nationals have ever been no-hit

Indeed, the team known as the Washington Nationals had never been no-hit until Lorenzen came along on Wednesday night. The Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos franchise hadn't been no-hit since David Cone's perfect game on July 18, 1999. That had been the longest streak of not being no-hit by any franchise. As Nats No-Hit Streak notes, that ends the franchise's stretch of 3,810 games with being no-no'd. Now the mark falls to the Angels, who haven't been no-hit since Sept. 11, 1999. That's a streak of 3,760 games and counting. 

Lorenzen has now pitched two gems as a Phillie

As previously noted, Lorezen's no-hitter came after his first post-trade start, in which he allowed two runs in eight innings of work against the Marlins on Aug. 3 and picked up the win. That gives him an ERA of 1.06 through his first starts since joining the Phils. Throw in his pre-deadline work with the Tigers, and Lorezen now boasts an ERA of 3.23 in 122 2/3 innings combined. Lorenzen, 31, is slated for free agency this coming offseason. 

These of course are important starts for Lorenzen and his new team. He was acquired to stabilize a rotation that's been a bit disappointing overall in 2023. After Wednesday night's victory -- a game that also included an inspiring home run from a 28-year-old rookie -- the Phillies are now in top wild-card position in the NL by a game over the Giants. The margins, though, are tight, and Lorenzen has many more important starts ahead of him this season. Thus far, he's answered the call beyond anyone's hopes. 

[Aug 9, 2023 at 8:52 pm ET · Dayn Perry]

That's the fourth no-hitter of the 2023 MLB season.

[Aug 9, 2023 at 8:49 pm ET · Kate Feldman]

Lorenzen's mom is in the stands and already crying

[Aug 9, 2023 at 8:49 pm ET · Dayn Perry]

Two outs, one to go

[Aug 9, 2023 at 8:46 pm ET · Kate Feldman]

Pitch count

At 111 pitches and looking down a long stretch toward the playoffs, Lorenzen is getting a vote of confidence from the Phillies here

[Aug 9, 2023 at 8:46 pm ET · Dayn Perry]

To repeat, Lorenzen is at 111 pitches going into the ninth.