Another Heartbreaker for Francis as Mets Defeat Blue Jays
In a dramatic turn of events, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis saw his no-hit bid collapse for the second time in his last four starts. Francis cruised through eight hitless innings against the New York Mets, only to surrender a disappointing leadoff home run in the ninth inning to Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. This crushing moment marked a bitter déjà vu for Francis, who has been both brilliant and heartbreakingly unlucky in recent outings.
Francis completed eight innings with remarkable efficiency, needing just six pitches to retire the side in the eighth. Despite his dominance, his effort was overshadowed by Lindor's ninth-inning homer that ended his hopes of securing a no-hitter. This outing mirrored another recent near-miss, where he lost a no-hitter in the ninth inning eighteen days earlier to a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels.
The game saw the Mets ultimately secure a 6-2 victory, bolstered by Lindor's homer and their steady performance throughout the innings. This win was particularly significant for the Mets, as it helped them maintain their grip on the third and final National League wild-card spot. Notably, this victory also featured the largest gap by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees.
Francis's recent performances have undeniably captured the attention of baseball aficionados. In four of his last six starts, Francis has allowed zero or just one hit, with each outing lasting at least seven innings. Over his last 43 innings pitched, he has conceded a mere 12 hits, underscoring his exceptional control and skill on the mound. Despite the narrow miss against the Mets, his efforts have been nothing short of impressive, setting him up as a notable pitcher to watch in the coming games.
This was not just another game for the Blue Jays but a potential historic moment. The last no-hitter for the Blue Jays dates back over three decades, to Dave Stieb's achievement on September 2, 1990. Had Francis completed his no-hit attempt, it would have been the fifth no-hitter of the 2024 MLB season, adding his name to the annals of history. Just a week before Francis's near-miss, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, highlighting the trend of strong pitching performances this season.
Despite Francis's stellar outing, his eight innings against the Mets featured only one strikeout, emphasizing his reliance on contact outs and defensive support. This strategy seemed to be working flawlessly until Lindor's pivotal at-bat. For Francis, it's another tough lesson in the unpredictability of the sport, where even the most dominant performance can be altered with a single swing.
While the outcome wasn’t what the Blue Jays and their fans had hoped for, Francis's ability to consistently deliver near-no-hit games remains remarkable. His talent and potential are clear, promising more spectacular moments on the mound. Baseball is often a game of inches, and for Bowden Francis, the near-misses only seem to fuel his determination and fortitude. Fans and analysts alike will undoubtedly be watching closely as he continues to carve out his place in the sport.