Bowden Francis Flirts with No-Hitter in Blue Jays' Victory Over Angels
On Saturday, Bowden Francis took the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays and delivered one of the most remarkable performances of his career. Facing the Los Angeles Angels, Francis was on the brink of making history, coming tantalizingly close to pitching only the second no-hitter in Blue Jays history. The last time this feat was accomplished was back in 1990 by Dave Stieb, who remains a franchise legend.
Francis carried a no-hit bid deep into the ninth inning, having kept the Angels' hitters completely off balance. The excitement in the Rogers Centre was palpable, with every pitch bringing the crowd of over 34,000 fans closer to witnessing something special. As he took the mound in the ninth, the anticipation reached its peak. However, the dream of a no-hitter was shattered when Taylor Ward of the Angels connected with a pitch, sending it over the wall for a leadoff home run.
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Despite losing the no-hit bid, Francis’ performance was nothing short of spectacular. Over the course of the game, he struck out a career-high 12 batters, walked three, and even hit a batter, but managed to keep the Angels at bay with his dominant pitching. He threw a career-high 117 pitches, 84 of which were strikes, showcasing both his endurance and precision. As he left the field following Ward's homer, the crowd honored him with a standing ovation, a testament to the excellence they had just witnessed.
Francis has been in top form recently, earning American League Player of the Week honors just last week. In that period, he went 2-0 with an impressive 0.64 ERA, including a seven-inning masterpiece against the Angels on August 12. His performance on Saturday only solidified his status as a rising star in the league.
Although the no-hitter slipped away, the Blue Jays still secured a 3-1 victory, a crucial win as they push for a postseason spot. Chad Green replaced Francis after the homer and successfully closed out the game, ensuring that Francis’ effort did not go to waste.
While Dave Stieb’s no-hitter in 1990 remains the only one in Blue Jays history, Bowden Francis’ near-miss will be remembered as one of the most thrilling pitching performances of the 2024 season. His journey from a promising talent to a key player in the Blue Jays' rotation is one that fans will be watching closely as the season progresses.
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