The Toronto Blue Jays' Bowden Francis once again came agonizingly close to making history, missing out on a no-hit milestone by the slimmest of margins for the second time in his last four starts. After working eight magnificent, hitless innings, Francis saw his bid for a no-hitter end with a leadoff home run by Francisco Lindor in the ninth inning, which dramatically altered the night's narrative and set the stage for the New York Mets' 6-2 victory.
Francis's performance was a showcase of efficiency and control. He retired the side on just six pitches in the eighth inning, demonstrating an uncommon level of command. Yet, despite these accolades, fate once again denied him a place among MLB's no-hit elite, a club that the Blue Jays haven't joined since Dave Stieb's storied September 2, 1990 no-hitter.
Lindor’s homer shattered the tension-filled atmosphere of potential history and propelled the Mets towards a crucial win that helped them maintain their grip on the third and final National League wild-card spot. The magnitude of the victory was underscored by the fact that it represented the largest winning margin by a team being no-hit through eight innings since the Chicago White Sox achieved this feat against the New York Yankees in 1990.
This wasn't the first time Francis's bid for a no-hitter was shattered in the final frame. Eighteen days prior, a home run by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels nullified another attempt, marking a poignant parallel in the young pitcher's burgeoning career. In a campaign characterized by near-misses and exceptional performances, Francis has conceded just twelve hits over his last 43 innings, a remarkable feat that positions him as a notable pitcher to watch in the coming games.
In four of his last six starts, Francis allowed zero or just one hit, consistently delivering outings that lasted at least seven innings. Such consistency and domination on the mound underscore the right-hander's growing potential and importance to the Blue Jays' rotation.
Interestingly, Francis's near-perfect eight innings against the Mets featured only one strikeout, a testament to his ability to induce weak contact and rely on his defense. This old-fashioned style of pitching, focused more on placement and strategy than overwhelming power, has become increasingly rare in the game dominated by high-velocity arms.
The near-miss could have placed Francis's achievement alongside the elite as the fifth no-hitter of the 2024 MLB season. Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers had no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates just a week before, showcasing the unpredictable nature of pitching greatness.
Despite his tough luck, Francis's performance has certainly not gone unnoticed. Baseball analysts and fans alike have started to spotlight him as a pitcher on the rise. His near-miss highlights a fortitude and skill set that promise further opportunities for historic accomplishments. For now, however, he and the Blue Jays will remain focused on translating these tantalizingly close individual feats into broader team successes.
While the sting of missed no-hitters will undoubtedly linger for the promising right-hander, the future looks bright. With his consistent ability to suppress hits and command games, Bowden Francis is poised to continue captivating baseball enthusiasts and potentially carve out his chapter in the annals of MLB history.