Reds pitcher does the unbelievable in his first game since his dad's death

It’s been a terribly tough time for Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen, who lost his father earlier this week.

But what happened Friday -- his first day back from the bereavement list -- put a smile on his face and a few happy tears in his eyes.

Lorenzen inherited a two-on, one-out jam in the seventh inning against the Dodgers and retired the first two batters he faced. And then came the real magic. Batting for only the fourth time all season, Lorenzen blasted a three-run homer -- his first long ball in 45 career plate appearances in the majors -- on the first pitch he saw.

Lorenzen was emotional rounding the bases, crossing home plate and when he got a curtain call from the home fans at Great American Ball Park. In fact, he said he had to compose himself even after getting the third out of the seventh inning.

"Definitely, everything happens for a reason," Lorenzen said, per the team’s website. "It was something that I look and just praise God for. It was something special, not only for me, but for my family. Everyone that's been supporting us, I just want to say thank you for the prayers and just the support. It's really helped out a lot, just people reaching out. It's humbled me, this whole situation. Everything that happened tonight, I don't think I will ever feel that way again."

Incredibly, Lorenzen was able to compose himself and pitch a scoreless eighth inning, as well, in Cincinnati's 9-2 win.

What an emotional and inspirational turn of events.