Heartbreak on the Mound for Bowden Francis
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis once again found himself on the brink of baseball immortality, only to have a no-hit bid slip through his fingers for the second time in his last four starts. This time, it was a leadoff home run in the ninth inning that shattered the dream.
Francis was untouchable through eight innings against the New York Mets, keeping their bats silent and visions of a no-hitter alive for Blue Jays fans. But the ninth inning began with Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor launching a homer, bringing a swift end to Francis's no-hit aspirations. The lone blemish in an otherwise stellar performance couldn't overshadow the fact that Francis had been dominant, retiring the side on just six pitches in the eighth inning.
Despite Francis's efforts, the Mets managed to rally and secure a 6-2 victory. This game marked the second time in eighteen days that Francis had come agonizingly close to a no-hitter, previously losing the bid in the ninth inning to a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels.
For a pitcher who's been teasing perfection, the frustration is palpable. 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. Such statistics underscore the level at which Francis has been competing, making his close calls that much more heartbreaking.
It's been over three decades since Dave Stieb threw the last no-hitter for the Blue Jays back on September 2, 1990. Francis, despite falling short, is being spotlighted as a pitcher to watch, an emerging talent with the potential to deliver that elusive no-hitter for Toronto once again.
Francis's game against the Mets was a testament to his control and composure, featuring only one strikeout but effectively keeping hitters off balance. The Mets, while grateful for Lindor's timely homer, also acknowledged the challenge that Francis presented. Their victory, marked by the largest gap by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees, helped them maintain their grip on the third and final National League wild-card spot.
To put Francis's near-miss in perspective, the 2024 MLB season has already seen four no-hitters, with Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combining to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates just a week before Francis's close call. A fifth no-hitter could have added another exciting chapter to this season's pitching feats.
As the Blue Jays reflect on what could have been, they can take solace in the knowledge that their roster includes a pitcher of Francis's caliber. His performances continue to captivate the baseball community, promising many more memorable moments in games to come.
The tale of Bowden Francis is not one of unfulfilled potential, but of a pitcher poised on the cusp of greatness, knocking on the door of history with every outing. Each start brings him, and the Blue Jays fans, closer to that magical moment.