TORONTO – For the second time in four starts, Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning to a leadoff homer.
Francisco Lindor connected on a 0-2 fastball Wednesday, launching a no-doubt rocket over the right-field wall to give the New York Mets their first hit and knot the game at one.
Blue Jays Pitcher Bowden Francis Again Loses No-Hit Bid On Leadoff Homer In 9th
Bowden was promptly removed from the game and earned a standing ovation from the Toronto crowd of 29,399. The right-hander walked one, struck out one, and hit two batters with pitches. He threw 111 pitches, including 68 strikes.
Bowden also had a no-hitter going into the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on August 24, but Taylor Ward homered to start the inning.
Dave Stieb pitched the lone no-hitter in Blue Jays history on September 2, 1990, in Cleveland.
In the sixth inning, New York’s Harrison Bader drove to deep left field against Francis, but Toronto’s Davis Schneider made an excellent catch near the wall.
Lindor then lined out to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base.
Guerrero also collected Jose Iglesias’ soft liner in the fourth, and Brandon Nimmo hit a strong liner to right field in the fifth.
Francis was named AL pitcher of the month for August, finishing 4-1 with a 1.05 ERA. He had 39 strikeouts and four walks in six appearances, five of which were starts.
Blue Jays Pitcher Bowden Francis Again Loses No-Hit Bid On Leadoff Homer In 9th
This season, the major leagues have seen four no-hitters. Last Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs pitched a combined no-hitter against Pittsburgh, following complete-game performances by Houston’s Ronel Blanco against Toronto on April 1, San Diego’s Dylan Cease against Washington on July 25, and San Francisco’s Blake Snell at Cincinnati on August 2.
SOURCE | AP
