Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis found himself on the brink of a remarkable achievement for the second time in his last four starts, only to see his dreams of a no-hitter vanish in the ninth inning. Francis had displayed impeccable control and precision, retiring batters with ease, but a leadoff home run by Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor shattered his bid for baseball immortality.
Francis's eight hitless innings were nothing short of masterful. He retired the side in the eighth on merely six pitches, showcasing efficiency and dominance that left fans in awe. However, as the tension mounted in the ninth, Lindor's timely homer brought an abrupt end to Francis's near-flawless outing.
The Toronto Blue Jays have not seen a no-hitter since Dave Stieb's remarkable performance on September 2, 1990. Francis's effort brought back memories of that historic moment, only to fall just short. This marks the second time in less than a month that Francis has come agonizingly close to a no-hitter. Eighteen days earlier, a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels had similarly dashed his hopes in the ninth inning.
Francis's recent form has been nothing short of spectacular. In four of his last six starts, he has allowed zero or just one hit, with each outing lasting at least seven innings. Over his last 43 innings pitched, he has conceded only 12 hits, demonstrating his ability to consistently stymie opposing batters. Yet, his eight innings against the Mets featured only one strikeout, indicating that he relies heavily on inducing weak contact and relying on his defense.
The Mets, buoyed by Lindor's homer, went on to secure a 6-2 victory. Despite being no-hit through eight innings, their late-game surge not only secured the win but also helped them maintain their grip on the third and final National League wild-card spot. This victory was significant as the largest gap by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees.
This season, Francis has drawn attention as one of the league's most notable pitchers. His near no-hitter against the Mets could have been the fifth no-hitter of the 2024 MLB season. A week before Francis's near-miss, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, highlighting a season rich with pitching prowess.
While the result was undoubtedly disappointing for Francis and the Blue Jays, his performances continue to command respect and intrigue. With each near-miss, Francis cements his reputation as a formidable presence on the mound. Teams around the league will undoubtedly keep a close eye on him in the coming games, as his blend of consistency and near-flawless outings sets him apart as a pitcher to watch.
As the Blue Jays reflect on what could have been, they also look forward to harnessing the momentum generated by Francis's stellar performances. The wait for another no-hitter continues, but with a pitcher like Francis on the mound, Toronto's dreams of history seem tantalizingly close.