For the second time in three weeks, Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis fell painfully wanting a no-hitter.
Francis threw eight no-hit innings towards the New York Mets on Wednesday and returned to the mound within the ninth having thrown 108 pitches with a shot at historical past. Then Francisco Lindor spoiled it.
With Toronto holding a 1-0 lead, Lindor launched an 0-2 fastball into the right-field stands at Rogers Centre to steer off the inning and tie the sport.
The solo shot ended Francis’ no-hit bid. It additionally value him an opportunity on the win. With that, Francis’ day was carried out, and he left the sport after 111 pitches ineligible to issue into the choice.
The Mets piled on after breaking apart the no-hit bid. New York added 5 extra runs off relievers Chad Inexperienced and Génesis Cabrera to take a 6-1 lead into the underside of the ninth. The inning concluded on a Lindor flyout on his second at-bat of the body.
The Blue Jays added a run within the backside of the ninth, however the Mets held on for a 6-2 win after being no-hit by eight innings.
This seems to be acquainted
The scene was painfully reminiscent of one that played out less than three weeks ago. Francis returned to the mound Aug. 24 having thrown 112 pitches in eight no-hit innings towards the Los Angeles Angels. On that day, Taylor Ward hit a leadoff dwelling run to interrupt up Francis’ no-hit bid within the ninth inning.
The Blue Jays are nonetheless in the hunt for the franchise’s second no-hitter. Dave Stieb threw the first in 1990. Francis has come shut twice, however the Blue Jays stay caught at one. They’ve had six no-hit bids damaged up within the ninth inning since Stieb’s no-hitter.
For Francis, it is the second no-hitter misplaced within the ninth inning in 4 begins. He completed his day having allowed one run, with Lindor’s solo dwelling run standing as the one hit towards him. He walked one and struck out one whereas decreasing his ERA to three.50 and his WHIP to 0.93 in 92 2/3 innings pitched.
