The Toronto Blue Jays' Bowden Francis fell heartbreakingly short of securing a no-hit game for the second time in his recent outings. Showcasing the promise that has marked his season so far, the right-hander fought valiantly against the New York Mets, only to see his effort disrupted by a ninth-inning leadoff home run by Mets' shortstop Francisco Lindor.
Francis pitched a mesmerizing eight hitless innings before Lindor’s homer disrupted what could have been a historic moment for the Blue Jays. Despite the setback, his performance throughout the game was nothing short of stellar. In the eighth inning alone, Francis deftly retired the side on just six pitches, demonstrating his command and efficiency on the mound.
The last time a pitcher in a Blue Jays jersey achieved a no-hitter was on September 2, 1990, when Dave Stieb etched his name in baseball history. Francis’s recent effort rekindled memories of that legendary performance and almost ended the more than three-decade drought.
Heartbreak in the Ninth
The conclusion of the game saw the Mets coming from behind to ultimately secure a 6-2 victory. Francis’s struggle in the ninth inning served as an all too familiar scene; a mere eighteen days prior, he lost another no-hitter bid in the ninth inning to a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels.
Still, Francis’s recent performances have been nothing short of extraordinary. In four of his last six starts, he allowed zero or just one hit per outing, with each game lasting at least seven innings. Over his last 43 innings pitched, he has conceded just 12 hits, underscoring his consistency and dominance.
Francis's Command and Control
Intriguingly, Francis’s eight innings featured only one strikeout, highlighting his ability to induce weak contact and groundouts to navigate through one of the MLB’s competitive lineups. This mastery of pitching craft does not rely solely on strikeouts but emphasizes control and precision.
The Mets’ victory was more than just another win; it helped them cement their hold on the third and final National League wild-card spot. Their ability to stay competitive despite being no-hit through eight innings marks it as the largest deficit overcome since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees.
A Season of Near Misses and Historic Feats
Francis’s near perfection was tantalizingly close to becoming the fifth no-hitter of the 2024 MLB season. Just a week before his near miss, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers had combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, hinting at a season rich in outstanding pitching performances.
With his unwavering focus and impressive deliverances on the mound, Bowden Francis is being spotlighted as a notable pitcher to watch in the coming games. His feats so far this season have already started to carve out his stature among the league’s upper echelon of pitchers.
For the Blue Jays, the echoes of Dave Stieb’s historic 1990 no-hitter linger, serving both as inspiration and a reminder of the rare air Francis was breathing into this historic chase. Despite falling short, Francis’s efforts signify a bright spot and bring hope of more magical moments on the horizon for Blue Jays fans.