Bowden Francis loses another no-hit bid in amazing coincidence

Sep 11, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Bowden Francis (44) throws a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Carrying a no-hitter into the ninth inning is a remarkable feat for any MLB pitcher. Doing it twice in the span of 18 days is even crazier. Craziest of all, however, is losing both no-hit bids in the exact same fashion.

That is what happened to Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis on Wednesday. Francis no-hit the New York Mets for eight innings, but gave up a home run to Francisco Lindor, the very first batter of the ninth inning.

Giving up a home run to Lindor is a forgivable offense, especially when you’re on 110 pitches in the ninth inning. Amazingly, however, the same thing happened to Francis on Aug. 24. Francis took a no-hitter into the ninth against the Los Angeles Angels, but surrendered a leadoff home run to Taylor Ward to end the effort.

The similarities largely end there. Francis only struck out one batter on Thursday, a far cry from the 12 strikeouts he tallied when facing the Angels. Plus, Lindor might be a bit more sporting about Francis’ effort than Ward was . Still, the coincidence is hard to believe.

Francis was pulled after the home run Wednesday, and the Toronto bullpen wound up allowing five more runs in what turned into a 6-2 loss.

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