Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis experienced heartbreak on the mound once again, as he lost his bid for a no-hitter for the second time in his last four starts. The 27-year-old righty was cruising through eight hitless innings when a leadoff home run by Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets dashed his dreams in the ninth inning.
This narrow miss marked another instance of Francis coming agonizingly close to achieving one of baseball's rarest feats. Just 18 days earlier, he was similarly thwarted by a home run from Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels, also in the ninth inning. Despite these near-misses, Francis has consistently demonstrated his prowess on the mound, making it clear that he is a pitcher to watch in the coming games.
Francis's Commanding Performance
Francis's command was on full display against the Mets, as he kept their hitters off-balance with a mix of precision and composure. He retired the side on just six pitches in the eighth inning, showcasing his efficiency and control. Over the course of the game, he allowed only one hit—a bitter pill to swallow for a pitcher so close to a no-hitter.
Remarkably, Francis's eight-inning gem featured just one strikeout, illustrating his ability to induce weak contact and rely on his defense. This approach has been a hallmark of his recent outings. In four of his last six starts, Francis has allowed zero or just one hit, with each outing lasting at least seven innings. His consistency and dominance are reflected in the mere 12 hits he's conceded over his last 43 innings pitched.
A Historic Drought Continues
The Toronto Blue Jays have not celebrated a no-hitter since Dave Stieb achieved the feat on September 2, 1990. Francis's recent performances have brought hope to fans yearning for another milestone moment. Despite falling short, his efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary, underscoring the difficulty of pitching a no-hitter in Major League Baseball.
A Bitter Outcome for the Jays
Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, Francis's near-no-hitter did not translate into a victory. The Mets bats came alive after Lindor's homer, securing a 6-2 win that reinforced their positioning in the National League wild-card race. The defeat stung all the more due to the hope that had built up over eight dazzling innings of no-hit baseball.
The Mets' victory was notable for another reason—it was the largest gap by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees. This statistical oddity adds another layer of intrigue to an already fascinating game.
Looking Ahead
While Francis's near-miss could have been the fifth no-hitter of the 2024 MLB season, it wasn't the only recent brush with no-hit history. Just a week prior, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, heightening the anticipation surrounding every deep pitching performance.
As for Francis, his recent outings have cemented his status as one of the most intriguing pitchers in the league. His ability to consistently flirt with baseball immortality suggests that it's only a matter of time before he etches his name in the record books. Until then, the baseball world will watch with bated breath every time he takes the mound.