Bowden Francis Shines Despite Losing No-Hit Bid in 9th, Blue Jays Triumph Over Angels
In an electrifying performance at the Rogers Centre on Saturday, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis came agonizingly close to achieving a historic no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels. The 28-year-old right-hander was in complete control, dominating the Angels with a career-best 12 strikeouts over eight-plus innings. Unfortunately, his bid for a no-hitter was heartbreakingly shattered in the ninth inning when Taylor Ward led off with a solo home run, marking Francis' only blemish in an otherwise stellar outing.
Francis, who had already surpassed his previous career highs in strikeouts, innings pitched, and pitch count, threw 117 pitches in total—84 of which were strikes. His performance was nothing short of masterful, as he not only kept the Angels hitless for eight innings but also set a new personal benchmark for pitching excellence. Prior to this game, Francis had shown glimpses of his potential, notably when he allowed just one hit in seven innings during a road game against the Angels on August 12. However, his outing on Saturday was a step above, underscoring his growing stature within the Blue Jays' pitching rotation.
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- Bowden Francis Flirts with No-Hitter in Blue Jays' Victory Over Angels
The game began with Francis striking out the first four Angels batters he faced, setting the tone for what could have been a historic night. Despite issuing a couple of walks and hitting a batter, Francis remained unfazed, skillfully navigating through the Angels' lineup. The Blue Jays provided all the run support he needed in the first inning, with Daulton Varsho reaching third base on a throwing error and scoring on a double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Guerrero, who later added his 27th home run of the season, also scored on Joey Loperfido's double, giving Toronto an early 2-0 lead.
As the game progressed, the anticipation at the Rogers Centre grew with every out, and by the time Francis took the mound in the ninth, the crowd of over 34,000 was on the edge of their seats. Unfortunately, Ward's 17th home run of the season ended Francis' dream of a no-hitter, but the Rogers Centre crowd responded with a standing ovation, recognizing the brilliance of his performance. Reliever Chad Green then stepped in to close out the game, earning his 14th save of the season and securing a 3-1 victory for the Blue Jays.
While the no-hitter slipped away, Francis' performance was a reminder of his immense potential. As the Blue Jays continue their push for a playoff spot, Francis has undoubtedly made a strong case for a permanent place in the starting rotation come 2025. His ability to dominate on the mound, coupled with his resilience and composure, bodes well for his future with the team.
In a season where pitching depth has been a key concern for the Blue Jays, Bowden Francis’ near no-hitter stands out as one of the highlights. Although history wasn’t made on Saturday, Francis’ effort was a testament to the promise he holds for the franchise's future.
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