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Bowden Francis’ no-hit bid attempts with the Blue Jays

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Over his past seven starts dating back to last season, Bowden Francis has thrown four no-hitters into the sixth inning.

On Sunday afternoon, he’ll make his second start of the season after throwing a quality start in his first game. Francis is quickly becoming my generation’s Dave Stieb with how many bids he’s had early in his career.

 

Let’s take a look back at those four no-hit bids.

August 24

Francis started his 2024 season in the rotation, but gave up 14 earned runs in 10.2 innings pitched and was quickly moved back to the bullpen, where he had found success the season prior.

Due to the Blue Jays selling at the 2024 trade deadline, more specifically, trading Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros, Francis returned to the rotation in late July, where he found great success.

Even before his no-hit bid on Aug. 24, Francis dominated big league hitters in his five appearances since his last call-up. From Jul. 29 until Aug. 18, he threw 25 innings with a 2.16 ERA and a 3.57 FIP. This included Aug. 12’s start against the Angels, where he threw seven innings of one-hit ball while striking out eight, a precursor if you must.

The Blue Jays scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Francis carried a no-hitter into the top of the ninth. Just three more outs for the second no-hitter in Blue Jays history.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be just yet, as Taylor Ward hit a lead-off home run in the top of the ninth inning, leading to Francis being pulled after throwing 117 pitches. That’s not something you see often in today’s game.

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Still, it was an incredible start for the righty, as Francis finished with eight innings pitched with one earned run, three walks, and a career-high 12 strikeouts.

August 29

What’s more impressive to me in the past seven Francis starts is that he immediately came out in his next start and carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning. Unlike his prior start, Francis was far more efficient in this bid.

Coming into the sixth inning, the only base runner Francis had allowed came thanks to an error, who was promptly erased trying to steal second. The first batter up was Danny Jansen, who flew out to Joey Loperfido. However, Nick Sogard broke up the no-hit with a single.

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Francis remained in the game though, striking out Ceddanne Rafaela and getting Jarren Duran to pop out to end the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Mickey Gasper grounded out, Tyler O’Neill struck out, and Triston Casas flew out as Francis pitched seven strong innings with one hit and five strikeouts. Moreover, he threw just 70 pitches in the start.

September 11

On Sep. 4, Francis’ streak of no-hit bids into the sixth inning came to an end against the Philadelphia Phillies. It was still a strong start though, as the righty finished with six innings pitched and three earned runs against.

He got back on the grind on September 11 against the New York Mets. The Blue Jays scored their lone run in the bottom of the fourth as Davis Schneider grounded into a force out. Coming into the top of the ninth, Francis once again had a no-hitter with 108 pitches thrown.

Once again, the lead-off hitter hit a go-ahead home run, as Francisco Lindor took him deep to break up the no-hit bid. The Jays fell apart from there, giving up an additional five runs to fall 6-1.

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Francis had two more starts to end the 2024 season with no bids for the elusive no-hitters. On Sep. 18, he pitched another quality start, going six innings with two earned runs allowed. His final start on Sep. 24 saw him pitch five scoreless innings with three hits.

March 31

New year, another attempt.

The Blue Jays took on the Washington Nationals on Mar. 31, with Francis making his first start of the season. Like his start against the Red Sox, Francis carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but had walked two batters. After striking out Jacob Young to lead off the sixth inning, Francis surrendered a home run to CJ Abrams, and James Wood hit another one immediately after.

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Francis was able to retire two more outs, giving him a line of 6 IP, 2 H,  2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K for a 3 ERA to start the season.

Hopefully, Francis will throw the no-hitter soon, as there has only been one in the Blue Jays’ history.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.