Toronto Blue Jays' Bowden Francis Misses No-Hitter, Mets Secure Victory
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis has once again been denied a no-hitter in a heart-wrenching fashion. The promising pitcher faced a dramatic end to his near-perfect game against the New York Mets, allowing a leadoff home run in the ninth inning. This marks the second time in his last four starts that Francis has come agonizingly close to achieving one of baseball's rarest feats.
Francis had the Mets completely under control for eight hitless innings. His performance was nothing short of stellar, as he retired the side in the eighth inning on just six pitches. However, his valiant effort was shattered when Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor hammered a home run to start the ninth inning. This blow not only ended Francis's no-hit bid but also seemed to sap the momentum from the Blue Jays.
It’s been nearly 34 years since Dave Stieb last threw a no-hitter for the Blue Jays on September 2, 1990, a sobering reminder of how elusive this achievement can be. Francis’s near no-hitter could have been the fifth in the 2024 MLB season. Just a week before his near-miss, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates. The wait for the next Blue Jays' no-hitter continues.
Despite Francis’s near-heroic effort, the Mets went on to secure a 6-2 victory. This win holds significant importance for the Mets as it helped them maintain their hold on the third and final National League wild-card spot. The Mets' comeback marked the largest gap by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees.
Unfortunately for Francis, history echoed itself just eighteen days earlier when he lost another no-hitter in the ninth inning. On that occasion, a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels ended his bid. Such consistency in pitching brings both high praise and tragic near-misses, making Francis a notable pitcher to watch in the coming games.
In four of his last six starts, Francis has allowed either zero or just one hit, with each outing lasting at least seven innings. He has conceded a remarkable total of just 12 hits over his last 43 innings pitched. Francis's command and control over batters have been exceptional, evidenced by the fact that his eight innings against the Mets featured only one strikeout, underscoring his efficiency and pitch management.
The baseball world watches with anticipation as Bowden Francis navigates his rollercoaster season. Despite the crushing disappointments, his performance continues to shine. Whether this resilience will translate into a no-hitter remains to be seen, but one thing stands clear: Francis's skill set positions him as a standout pitcher in Major League Baseball.
As he takes the mound in future games, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on his progress, waiting to see if he can eventually achieve the near-mythical no-hitter that has so far eluded his grasp. With the Blue Jays looking to build momentum and the Mets fighting for their playoff spot, the drama and tension of the season are bound to keep baseball enthusiasts eagerly watching.