Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis once again found himself on the brink of a historic achievement, only to see it slip away in dramatic fashion. In a game against the New York Mets, Francis came tantalizingly close to etching his name in the record books with a no-hitter, only to have it undone by a ninth-inning leadoff home run from Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. This marked the second time in just 18 days that Francis lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning, a feat that underscores both his skill and the heartbreak of near-perfection in baseball.
Francis delivered a masterful performance, working eight hitless innings and retiring the side on just six pitches in the eighth inning. The right-hander faced the minimum number of batters into the ninth before Lindor’s homer broke up the no-hitter and eventually contributed to a 6-2 victory for the Mets. Interestingly, this game became a historical note for another reason — the Mets' win was the largest margin by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees.
For the Blue Jays, the last taste of no-hit glory came over three decades ago when Dave Stieb achieved the rare feat on September 2, 1990. Francis’s recent effort was yet another chapter in the long wait for another no-hitter in Toronto's history. Notably, Francis was close to achieving what would have been the fifth no-hitter of the 2024 MLB season. Just a week before his near-miss, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, adding to the year’s tally of pitching brilliance.
Consistent Excellence on the Mound
Despite the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on a no-hitter, Francis has been nothing short of exceptional in recent outings. Over his last six starts, he has consistently kept hitters off balance, allowing zero or just one hit in four of those games, with each appearance lasting at least seven innings. Across his last 43 innings pitched, Francis has conceded a mere 12 hits, demonstrating his dominance and pinpoint control on the mound. These stats firmly place him among the elite pitchers in the league this season.
Adding to the intrigue of his recent performances, Francis’s outing against the Mets featured only one strikeout over eight innings, further highlighting his ability to retire batters through craft and guile rather than sheer power. This aspect of his game sets him apart and has captured the attention and respect of baseball aficionados, who are eager to see how his career unfolds.
The Wild-Card Race
From the Mets’ perspective, the win was crucial in their quest to secure the third and final National League wild-card spot. The team’s ability to rally from being no-hit through eight innings to clinching a 6-2 victory exemplifies their determination and clutch performance under pressure. This victory, achieved through persisting and taking advantage of a rare opportunity, may well play a pivotal role in their postseason aspirations.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Bowden Francis. His near-misses and exceptional pitching performances have not gone unnoticed. Stakeholders and fans alike recognize that he has the potential to deliver a historic performance on any given night. Whether he will finally achieve the elusive no-hitter remains to be seen, but his current form makes him a pitcher to watch closely as the season intensifies.
Indeed, the tale of Bowden Francis’s near achievements serves as a reminder of the thin line between success and heartbreak in the world of professional sports. With each start, he carries with him the lessons learned from these near-misses, inching ever closer to fulfilling his potential as one of baseball’s outstanding talents.