Bowden Francis's Near No-Hitter: A Tale of Agony and Excellence
Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander Bowden Francis has found himself heart-wrenchingly close to making history not once, but twice in his last four starts. In an all-too-familiar scenario, Francis lost another no-hit bid in a gut-wrenching ninth inning after producing eight hitless innings on the mound against the New York Mets. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor delivered the crushing blow with a leadoff home run in the final inning, spelling heartbreak for the young pitcher and his teammates.
Francis had been in commanding form throughout the game, even retiring the side on just six pitches in the eighth inning. His performance showcased the kind of precision and control that have rapidly become his trademark. Yet, once again, victory slipped from his grasp at the eleventh hour.
For fans of the Blue Jays, this bitter déjà vu hearkens back to Dave Stieb's iconic no-hitter on September 2, 1990. That was the last time a Toronto pitcher etched his name into the record books with a no-hitter. In fact, Francis had given a similarly tantalizing performance just eighteen days earlier, only to have his no-hitter shattered by a home run from Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning.
Despite the loss, Francis's form over the past few games has been nothing short of extraordinary. In four of his last six starts, he has held opposing hitters to zero or just one hit, with each outing lasting at least seven innings. Over his last 43 innings pitched, he has surrendered a mere 12 hits—an exceptional rate that positions him among baseball's elite performers this season.
In the game against the Mets, despite his dominance, Francis's eight innings featured only one strikeout, highlighting his ability to generate weak contact and efficiently retire batters. However, that wasn't enough to fend off the relentless Mets, who went on to secure a 6-2 victory. The win was significant for the Mets as it fortified their hold on the third and final National League wild-card spot. It was the largest margin of victory by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the 1990 White Sox against the Yankees.
The disappointment of missing out on a no-hitter is softened somewhat by the broader context of the 2024 MLB season, which has already seen a flurry of no-hit performances. Francis's near miss could have been the fifth no-hitter of the season. Just a week prior, Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, reminding fans of baseball's capacity for both drama and unpredictability.
Nevertheless, Bowden Francis's persistent flirtations with baseball history have marked him as a pitcher to watch closely in the games to come. His contributions have sparked conversation and excitement among the Blue Jays' faithful, building anticipation for what might lie ahead for this emerging talent.
As the Blue Jays continue their push through the season, the performances of Bowden Francis stand out as beacons of both skill and potential, promising that the next chapter in his career might yet be inscribed with his name in the annals of baseball history.