Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis found himself on the brink of history yet again, only to experience heartache for the second time in four starts. The right-hander's no-hitter was broken up by a leadoff home run in the ninth inning, handed courtesy of New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor.
Francis's performance had been nothing short of stellar until that defining moment. Dominating the mound, he navigated through eight innings without allowing a single hit. In a display of sheer efficiency, Francis retired the side on just six pitches in the eighth inning, an epitome of his control and command. Remarkably, he tallied only one strikeout across those eight hitless innings, focusing instead on inducing weak contact and relying on his defense.
The unfortunate homer in the ninth was a bitter reminder of another recent brush with greatness. Just eighteen days earlier, Francis lost another no-hit bid in the ninth inning, that time to a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels. Despite these near-misses, Francis's performances continue to impress. In four of his last six starts, he has allowed zero or just one hit, each time pitching at least seven innings. Over his last 43 innings, Francis has conceded just 12 hits, underlining his consistency and potential as a top-tier pitcher.
The Blue Jays have not celebrated a no-hitter since Dave Stieb's feat on September 2, 1990. Over three decades have passed since that historic game, and Francis had the chance to etch his name alongside the legendary Stieb. Instead, Lindor's homer not only shattered the no-hit dream but also became a critical moment in the Mets' 6-2 victory.
Impact on the Wild-Card Race
The victory held significant ramifications for the Mets, who are in the thick of the National League wild-card race. The win helped them maintain their grip on the third and final wild-card spot, a testament to the high stakes and intensity that characterized the matchup. The game also set a modern benchmark; it marked the largest margin by which a team was no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox faced the Yankees.
Francis's Rising Profile
Despite the loss, Bowden Francis's near no-hitter bid has spotlighted him as a pitcher to watch in the coming games. His ability to perform under pressure and maintain a high level of pitching consistency has made him a standout in the Blue Jays rotation. His latest close call could have been the fifth no-hitter of the 2024 MLB season, following closely on the heels of a combined no-hitter thrown by Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers against the Pittsburgh Pirates just a week prior.
Francis’s resilience and consistent excellence on the mound bode well for the Blue Jays, as they look to capitalize on his dominant pitching in their upcoming fixtures. While the elusive no-hitter continues to slip just out of reach, the promise and potential shown by Francis suggest it may only be a matter of time before he finally achieves this career milestone.