Toronto Blue Jays pitcher in action during a Major League Baseball game, poised mid-throw. © Ideogram
NEW YORK – For the second time in just 18 days, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis was on the verge of history, only to have it slip away in the ninth inning. On Wednesday, the 28-year-old right-hander held the New York Mets hitless for eight innings before surrendering a leadoff home run to Francisco Lindor in the ninth, tying the game 1-1 and ending Francis’ no-hit bid.
This marked the second time in less than three weeks that Francis has seen a no-hitter shattered by a ninth-inning homer. On August 24, it was Los Angeles Angels’ Taylor Ward who broke up his no-hitter with a solo shot, a haunting repeat for the young pitcher.
Francis, making just his 11th career start, was electric through eight innings, walking one, hitting two batters, and striking out just one, but keeping the Mets off the basepaths with efficient pitching. He entered the ninth inning with 108 pitches and looked poised to deliver the Toronto Blue Jays their first no-hitter since Dave Stieb’s historic feat in 1990.
After Lindor’s home run, Toronto manager John Schneider pulled Francis from the game. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, things unraveled quickly as relievers Chad Green and Genesis Cabrera struggled to contain the Mets. New York erupted for six runs in the ninth inning, fueled by Francisco Alvarez’s crushing three-run homer, sealing the Mets’ eventual 6-2 victory.
With the loss, Francis’ outstanding performance was overshadowed by the Blue Jays’ late collapse. The right-hander remains in search of his first career no-hitter, a goal that has eluded him twice in less than a month.
Key Takeaways:
- Bowden Francis’ No-Hit Bid Broken: Francisco Lindor’s ninth-inning home run shattered Francis’ no-hit attempt, the second such occurrence for Francis in recent weeks.
- Toronto’s Bullpen Falters: After Francis was removed, relievers Chad Green and Genesis Cabrera allowed six Mets runs, handing New York the victory.
- Dave Stieb’s Record Stands: Stieb’s 1990 no-hitter remains the only one in Blue Jays’ franchise history.
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