Bowden Francis Loses No-Hit Bid in Heartbreaking Fashion
In what has become an almost too familiar refrain, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis lost a no-hit bid for the second time in his last four starts, surrendering a leadoff home run in the ninth inning. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was the spoiler this time, as Francis' stellar eight hitless innings were undone by a single swing.
Francis retired the side on only six pitches in the eighth inning, cruising into the ninth with the tantalizing possibility of a no-hitter. However, Lindor's powerful bat swiftly ended those dreams. Despite this bitter conclusion, Francis' performance was nothing short of masterful, highlighted by his ability to craft quick outs and efficiently manage his pitch count.
The near-miss marks the second heartbreak in just over two weeks for Francis, who lost another no-hitter bid in the ninth inning 18 days earlier to a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels. For the Blue Jays, their no-hit drought stretches back to September 2, 1990, when Dave Stieb etched his name in the history books.
Impressively, Francis has been a beacon of consistency, having allowed zero or just one hit in four of his last six starts, each stretching at least seven innings. Over his last 43 innings pitched, he has conceded a mere 12 hits, demonstrating an elite level of control and precision on the mound. His eight innings against the Mets featured only one strikeout, a testament to his ability to induce weak contact and manage the game strategically.
Despite Francis' heroic efforts, the Mets rallied to a 6-2 victory, bolstering their stance in the fiercely competitive National League wild-card race. This win accentuated the significance of their offensive resilience, especially considering the historic nature of their comeback—the Mets’ victory represented the largest deficit faced by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees.
A broader context adds to the narrative: Francis’ near no-hitter could have been the fifth of the 2024 MLB season. Just a week prior, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing that pitching brilliance is alive and well in the current MLB landscape. However, the Blue Jays continue to look back at Dave Stieb’s no-hitter, still standing as their last over three decades later, emphasizing the rarity and difficulty of achieving such a feat.
The remarkable performances by Bowden Francis have spotlighted him as a notable pitcher to watch. His recent outings have reinforced his status as an emerging ace, and his skillset is capturing the attention of baseball aficionados and analysts alike. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Francis, eager to see if he can convert his near-misses into a history-making performance.
For now, the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans are left both to marvel at and mourn the razor-thin margin by which history eluded Bowden Francis, yet again.