Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis saw his no-hit bid slip away once again on Wednesday, as Francisco Lindor crushed a leadoff home run in the ninth inning, tying the game 1-1 for the New York Mets. It was the second time in four starts that Francis lost a no-hitter on a ninth-inning homer.
Lindor’s blast came on an 0-2 fastball, sending the ball over the right-field wall and ending Francis’ bid for history. After the hit, Francis was pulled from the game to a standing ovation from the 29,399 fans in Toronto. He finished the night allowing one hit, one walk, striking out one, and hitting two batters over 111 pitches.
This wasn’t the first time Francis came so close to a no-hitter. On August 24, he carried a no-hit bid into the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels before Taylor Ward homered to break it up.
Francis has been exceptional recently, earning AL Pitcher of the Month honors for August after posting a 4-1 record with a 1.05 ERA. There have been four no-hitters in the majors this season, but the Blue Jays haven’t seen one since Dave Stieb’s historic feat in 1990.
—
Photo Credit: zieusin / Shutterstock.com