Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander Bowden Francis experienced another heart-wrenching night, losing a no-hit bid for the second time in his last four starts. In a gripping performance against the New York Mets, Francis took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, only to have his dreams shattered by a leadoff home run from Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor.
This extraordinary effort marked the second instance in less than three weeks where Francis had carried a no-hitter into the final inning, only to see it slip away. Eighteen days earlier, he had similarly lost a no-hitter to a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels. Despite the late heartbreak, Francis's outing against the Mets further solidified his status as one of the most promising pitchers in the league.
Francis's performance was nothing short of masterful. He worked eight hitless innings, retiring the side on merely six pitches in the eighth inning before Lindor's fateful swing in the ninth. Over those eight innings, Francis gave up just one run— a home run by Lindor— and recorded only one strikeout. This understated dominance speaks volumes about Francis's command and his ability to induce weak contact from hitters.
The game was a remarkable display of pitching prowess, underlined by the fact that Francis has given up a mere 12 hits over his last 43 innings pitched. In four of his last six starts, he has conceded zero or just one hit, each outing lasting at least seven innings. These statistics not only highlight Francis's current form but also his potential to become one of the pivotal arms in the Blue Jays' rotation moving forward.
The last time the Blue Jays celebrated a no-hitter was on September 2, 1990, when Dave Stieb etched his name into franchise history. Over three decades later, fans were on the brink of witnessing another historic moment, only to be denied at the last gasp. Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers had combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates a mere week before Francis's near-miss, underscoring how challenging this feat truly is in modern baseball.
The Mets, who eventually secured a 6-2 victory, were on their heels for most of the night. Their win, bolstered by Francis's unraveling in the ninth, allowed them to maintain their grip on the third and final National League wild-card spot. The victory was also notable for being the largest margin by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 Chicago White Sox against the New York Yankees.
As the game concluded, the spotlight shone brightly on Bowden Francis. His sheer talent and tenacity were undeniable, signaling to fans and analysts alike that he is a pitcher to watch closely in the coming games. While the immediate disappointment of losing the no-hitter stings, Francis's near-miss could have been the fifth no-hitter of the 2024 MLB season and an indelible chapter in his burgeoning career.
Looking at his recent performances, Francis is making a compelling case to be considered one of the best pitchers in the league. For the Blue Jays and their fanbase, the hope is that Francis will continue to develop and perhaps eventually achieve the no-hitter that has twice eluded him by the narrowest of margins. The journey, filled with near-misses and moments of brilliance, is just as thrilling to watch as the destination.