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New York Post
Blue Jays’ Bowden Francis has heartbreakingly lost two no-hitters — in a matter of weeks
By Christian Arnold,
5 hours ago
Maybe the third time will be the charm?
For the second time in less than a month, Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis came within three outs of a no-hitter only to have it ripped away from him thanks to a lead-off homer in the ninth.
Bowden Francis tips hits cap to the crowd after being taken out in the ninth inning of the Blue Jays’ 6-2 loss to the Mets on Sept. 11, 2024. Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
While Francis missed out on one piece of history, he etched his name into the record books for another.
Francis became the first pitcher since Nolan Ryan had two no-hit bids lost in the ninth inning in the same season, according to Sarah Langs.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider talks to Bowden Francis after he lost his no hitter during the ninth inning against the Angels on Aug.24, 2024. John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Francis’ luck also seems fitting with the way things have gone for Blue Jays pitchers in the past, in particular Dave Stieb who suffered even more heartbreak than Wednesday’s starter has this year.
While Stieb is the only Jays pitcher to record a no-hitter – doing so on Sept. 2, 1990 – it took him several attempts to finally make history.
Stieb fell short in two no-hit bids at the end of the 1988 season when he came within one out on two separate occasions only to have history taken away from him.
On Wednesday, Francis carried the no-no into the final inning and seemed destined to hold the Mets hitless for the first time since Max Scherzer did so with the Nationals in October 2015.
Francisco Lindor rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run to end Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis’ hopes of throwing a no-hitter during the ninth inning on Sept.11, 2024. AP
Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis is taken out of the game by manager John Schneider during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre on Sept. 11, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Interestingly Francis had only struck out one batter going to the ninth before Lindor broke up the no-hitter bid.
The Mets proceeded to score six runs in the frame — including a three-run homer by Francisco Alvarez to ultimately win the game 6-2.
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