MLB pitcher loses no-hitter in 9th for second time in three weeks

For the second time in 18 days, Toronto Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis had a no-hit bid broken up by a home run in the ninth inning.

On Wednesday, Francis held the New York Mets hitless for eight innings and came back out for the ninth at 108 pitches, but gave up a leadoff homer to Francisco Lindor – which tied the game 1-1.

It was déjà vu for Francis, who also took a no-hitter into the ninth against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 24 – only for Taylor Ward to begin the frame with a solo home run.

Dave Stieb’s 1990 no-hitter remains the only one in Blue Jays franchise history.

Francis, 28, made his big-league debut in 2022 for Toronto and Wednesday’s no-hit bid was his 46th career appearance (11th start).

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He was removed after Lindor’s homer, ending his day with one walk, hit two batsmen and one strikeout.

The Mets ended up batting around and scored six runs in the ninth with Toronto relievers Chad Green and Genesis Cabrera combining to issue four walks and surrender three hits in the disastrous inning. Francisco Alvarez’s three-run homer off Cabrera was the knockout blow in New York’s eventual 6-2 win.

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