DETROIT — Michael Lorenzen pitched five scoreless innings in his Texas debut and three relievers completed a five-hit shutout as the Rangers topped the Detroit Tigers 1-0 on Monday night.
Lorenzen, signed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract as a free agent late in spring training, gave up three hits and walked five while notching four strikeouts against his former team. Lorenzen represented the Tigers at the All-Star Game last season before he was traded to Philadelphia.
“Everything about Detroit I really enjoyed. The guys over there are great,” Lorenzen said. “I tried not to talk to them at all because I wanted to beat them. I’ll catch up with them [Tuesday].”
The right-hander, who had been on the 15-day injured list due to a neck strain, made three rehab appearances at Triple-A Round Rock before he was activated.
“You saw a guy with poise,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’s got the experience. He knows how to make pitches when he has to. That’s what really good pitchers do and he did it tonight. He got into a couple of tough jams he had to work hard to get out of and he got two big double plays.”
Detroit had six baserunners combined in the third, fourth and fifth, but the Rangers turned a double play in each inning to snuff out those threats.
Lorenzen credited his catcher, Jonah Heim, for calling the right pitches when needed.
“It wasn’t pretty by any means and he had my back the entire time,” Lorenzen said. “That’s all you can ask for in a catcher.”
