Stock Down: Michael Lorenzen
At the trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired pitcher Michael Lorenzen from the Detroit Tigers. He wasted little time in winning over the Phillies fans as he threw a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals on August 9 at Citizens Bank Park. Since then? Well, it’s not been good.
Tuesday night, the right-hander made his sixth start since throwing the no-hitter and he lasted just one-third of an inning against the Atlanta Braves. His line was as ugly as ugly can be for one-third of an inning.
He allowed just three hits, however, he gave four earned runs and walked three to continue his trouble following his win over the Nationals. Since that start in early August, he has struggled and allowed a whopping 27 earned runs.
After his outing against Washington, he was considered a steal at the trade deadline, but that has hardly been the case. Now the Phillies are faced with a decision on whether or not they are going to use him in the playoffs. Right now, it’s hard seeing them giving him the ball in the Wild Card round. They will get the series at home most likely and if they do give him the ball, he should be on a shorter leash than he was Tuesday night in Atlanta.