Toronto Blue Jays' Bowden Francis Falls Short of No-Hitter Once Again
In an emotional rollercoaster of a game, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis saw his no-hit bid come to a heartbreaking end for the second time in his last four starts. Francis, who has been a revelation on the mound, delivered a masterclass against the New York Mets, only to have his efforts undone by one swing in the ninth inning.
Francis dazzled for eight hitless innings, making quick work of the Mets lineup, including a flawless eighth inning where he retired the side on just six pitches. The tension in the stadium was palpable as fans anticipated witnessing the first Blue Jays no-hitter since Dave Stieb's historic performance on September 2, 1990.
However, it was not to be. Leading off the ninth inning, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor shattered the dream with a leadoff home run. The jarring hit silenced Blue Jays fans and propelled the Mets to a 6-2 victory, maintaining their grip on the third and final National League wild-card spot. It was the largest gap ever seen by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees.
This was not the first time Francis had lost a no-hitter in agonizing fashion. Eighteen days prior, he had carried another no-hit bid into the ninth inning, only to lose it to a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels. These near-misses highlight both his exceptional talent and the merciless nature of baseball.
Beyond the heartbreak, Francis's recent performances have been nothing short of phenomenal. In four of his last six starts, he has allowed zero or just one hit per game, with each outing lasting at least seven innings. Over his past 43 innings pitched, Francis has conceded a mere 12 hits, cementing his position as one of the most formidable pitchers in the game. Notably, despite his dominance, Francis's eight innings against the Mets featured just one strikeout, showcasing his ability to pitch efficiently and strategically.
The context of Francis's performance cannot be understated. The near no-hitter would have been the fifth of the 2024 MLB season, illustrating just how rare and special such achievements are. Impressively, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers had combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates just a week before Francis's latest effort, further underscoring the difficulty of pulling off such a feat.
As the Blue Jays continue their season, all eyes will be on Bowden Francis. His extraordinary talent and multiple near-misses have placed him in the spotlight as a pitcher to watch. With his exquisite control, resilience, and propensity for near-miraculous performances, Francis stands as a beacon of hope for Toronto's pitching rotation in the days ahead.
Despite the frustration of seeing another no-hitter slip away, Francis’s form over the last few weeks has made one thing clear: he is a force to be reckoned with and his time in the limelight is far from over. Whether he will finally seal the deal in the coming games remains to be seen, but if his recent performances are anything to go by, Francis is closer than ever to etching his name into the annals of baseball history.