Francis' Near No-Hitter: A Tale of Heartbreak and Tenacity
In a game that showcased both immense talent and agonizing heartbreak, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis narrowly missed out on pitching a no-hitter for the second time in his last four starts. The young pitcher brought fans to the edge of their seats, only to see his bid shattered once again in the ninth inning.
Francis dazzled on the mound, engineering eight stellar, hitless innings against the New York Mets. His command and control were unrivaled, especially noted when he effortlessly retired the side on just six pitches in the eighth inning. For Blue Jays fans, memories of the last no-hitter pitched by Dave Stieb on September 2, 1990, were starting to resurface.
However, the magic moment slipped away when Francis allowed a leadoff home run to Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor in the ninth inning. The crowd's collective sigh was palpable, and the dream of a no-hit game was dashed once again. Just eighteen days earlier, Francis had lost another no-hit bid in the ninth inning to a homer by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels, making this a particularly heart-wrenching recurrence.
Despite the setback, Francis' performance has been nothing short of remarkable. In four of his last six starts, he has allowed zero or just one hit, each outing lasting at least seven innings. His recent stretch of games includes only 12 hits conceded over his last 43 innings pitched, indicating a level of consistency and skill that positions him as a notable pitcher to watch in the coming games.
Yet on this night, the Mets took the final victory with a 6-2 score, securing their hold on the third and final National League wild-card spot. It wasn't just any ordinary win for the Mets; it was the largest victory margin by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees, underscoring the dramatic turn of events.
Francis' eight innings against the Mets featured only one strikeout, highlighting his ability to keep hitters off balance without relying solely on overpowering pitches. His near no-hitter could have been the fifth of the 2024 MLB season, adding yet another layer of what-could-have-been to his performance. Just a week prior to Francis's near-miss, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, keeping fans' appetites whetted for such rare and thrilling moments.
As Francis took the mound, many pondered whether he could break the decades-long drought of Blue Jays' no-hitters. Dave Stieb's legendary no-hitter was over three decades ago, and while Francis was unable to replicate that historic feat, his repeated near-misses signify a pitcher who is not only capable but on the brink of greatness.
In the aftermath, it’s clear that Bowden Francis's persistence and skill will continue to mark him as a rising star. His journey has been fraught with near-misses, but these experiences also serve as a testament to his potential and resilience. As the Blue Jays and their fans look forward to the rest of the season, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Francis, hopeful that his next outing will bring the long-awaited no-hit game.