Toronto BLUE JAYS News Rumors Today: Bowden Francis K's 12, takes no hitter into 9th!

with bow and Francis on the mound the Blue Jays will try to make it three in a row the uh the reigning American League player of the week after two really really really good seven inning starts pitch clock is winding down but he gets going just in time and he's in there with a splitter for strike three [Applause] called swinging a miss and a fast ball up and he Strikes Out Zack Netto ran is struck out the side of the first inning in Chicago and he has done it again here he gets Ward Netto and parlar and he's feeling pretty good about the for seamer as he Strikes Out Anthony randone and Francis has struck out the first four batteries he's faced another strike out for Francis number five already little weak bouncer to the first base side of the mound Francis the flip to Guerrero and strike three call gets the call on the corner with the splitter He's only seen the one splitter and that's the one he struck out on the first time up there it is wow another strike out for Francis number seven I think this splitter this pitch that we've been talking about so much is really changed who he is on the mound what a weapon it's been and then he elevates the fast to strike out another one eight strikeouts through four innings for bow [Music] Francis and that's three on the outside corner and that's a career-high ninth strikeout for B Francis strikeout number 10 he just flipped that curveball in there as though it was an 0 pitch to a lefty but clearly fooled the left-handed hitter couple of strikes on Kevin polar and a splitter to get him the third time he has struck out Po and that's now 11 strikeouts today for about Frank [Music] and there it is another strike out that's number 12 might be the last pitch of the day who knows nearing 100 but seven hitless Innings with 12 strikeouts today for Bowen Francis well between Innings when about and Francis came off the field we had the cameras on him and Pete Walker and John Schneider when we wondered if there would be a handshake and a pat on the back and a great job big fella and there was none of that he's going back out love it everybody in the ball Park knows what's going on couple of strikes now listen to them get louder better than 34,000 [Applause] today to left field it's right at L peredo and the inning is over High Drive center field deep varo cannot get it it's up on top of the wall and gone and the no hitter is gone here to lead off the nine and now the the Ovation for Francis will resume and now undoubtedly John Schneider's going to come get him he gave him a shot one and afternoon for bow in Francis and let's soak this in [Applause] what a day for him and what a moment this has to be for him right now just uh keep telling myself to keep driving the ball keep attacking don't don't ever let up um I go through like manifestations I just try to tell myself that it's a z00 ball game don't ever don't ever get in your heels keep attacking I was just hoping they let me ride and and see what happens um I feel like my body is prepared for a lot and I think I was ready to go however far we needed to go I don't know it's all kind of in the moment type of thing I know it's kind of like an emotional decision it's kind of ride with the wave and and see how the game's going and I know in those situations you just got to kind of go a little farther than you than you think about I guess yeah I still felt pretty good I just I don't know that lasted or just uh I know I don't know what I don't know what happened but it's all it's all it's part of the what's going on it's everything happen for a reason and that's just part of it just be grateful for the outing be grateful for everyone around me and then get ready in 5 days that was huge I mean I haven't felt that um yet that just shows the crowd of Toronto and the fans here it's incredible and I don't know I felt love can't say enough um special you never know when days like this are going to kind of unfold he did everything pretty much to a te you know strikeouts gets a double play ball with a sinker um held his stuff you know probably ran at a little bit of gas maybe eighth ninth but I mean just split fast ball every everything was working it's one of those nights um a lot of credit to serving too um to be part of that and I give I give Bowen a lot of credit for going going afterward 3-2 with a heater you know it's um he was just it was pretty special he's had a couple of those outings um two against Baltimore that he did really well and then um back to back here against Anaheim you know I think that they had a lot of righties in to probably try to take his split away and he he kept throwing it and it was in the zone and it was really good so it's um you know that part of it is cool where you see a pitcher kind of you know really coming into his own and making some adjustments against the team that he just faced and and doing what he did today you know and that's coming off with a player of the week honor you know so um pretty impressive you know I think there's certain times over um people's careers where you you just never know you know um Bow's battled for a lot of years and has gotten to this point so I I didn't want to take anything away from him and you know Pete and I were on the same page and without really saying it you know those conversations get pretty funny when you get past the seventh but uh that was his you know it was um his until he gave up a hit we all know how Bowen is he's very present and he's very uh meticulous with his thoughts and his routine um he was great when I went out there you know looked right right in my eyes and I said hey just stay present right now and um as part of this day kind of enjoy what you're about to hear from the crowd um and hopefully he did that Vibe was really good you know everyone kind of you know everyone knew what was going on and uh you try to just do the exact same thing you try to not do anything different and um you know I thought when vlat hit the Homer I like okay you got a little bit of breathing room you're still trying win the game you know and he's kind of in Uncharted Territory but the vibe was great in The Dugout and um you know I thought VAR was going to climb the wall and do something crazy as you always see it no hitters but um no such luck another close call Bowden Francis comes within inches of Blue Jay's second no hitter Toronto The Echoes of History nearly reverberated through Roger Center on Saturday night as Bowden Francis stood on the precipice of joining an exclusive club with eight nearly Flawless Innings behind him Francis had the crowd on its feet daring to believe that for the first time in 34 years a Toronto Blue Jay's pitcher might throw a no hitter but as the ninth inning unfolded the baseball Gods proved unforgiving Taylor Ward stepped into the batter's box and with one swing shattered the dream sending a solo shot into the stands and erasing Francis shot at immortality the blue jay still walked away with a three to won victory over the Angels but the night will forever be remembered for what almost was France's journey to this moment has been anything but smooth after losing a spot in the rotation earlier in the season he battled back re-entering the starting lineup following the trade of UCI Kikuchi his recent outings had shown promise but Saturday night was something special the 27-year-old right-hander displayed remarkable composure in command racking up a career- high 12 strikeouts as the Angels struggled to find any answers as the game moved into the final inning the energy in Rogers Center was palpable fans could feel the significance of the moment as Francis returned to the mound just six outs away from making history manager John Schneider knew the stakes but he also understood the importance of letting his pitcher chase this once in a-lifetime opportunity with 111 pitches already thrown Francis was running on pure adrenaline and determination at one point between Innings Schneider caught a glimpse of Francis with his eyes closed seemingly meditating stealing himself for the task ahead it was a sign of just how much this moment meant to the young pitcher who had worked so hard to get back to this point be present Schneider had told him earlier enjoy every second of what's Happening Here this is something you'll remember forever and Francis will remember it even if the outcome wasn't he or the 40,000 fans and attendance had hoped for the 117 pitches he threw Mark to career high a testament to his endurance and grit the crowd recognizing the magnitude of his effort gave him a standing ovation as he walked off the mound in the annals of Blue Jay's history no hitters have always been elusive Dave sty one of the franchise's alltime greats endured his own series of near misses before finally capturing his is no hitter on September 2nd 1990 since then Roy Halliday Brandon Morrow and Dustin mcgau have all come close only to have their dreams dashed in the final inning Francis now joins that list a fraternity of pitchers who flirted with history but fell just short I'm proud of what I did out there Francis said after the game still wearing his torn up vintage blue jay shirt the crowd the support I felt it all it's something I'll carry with me as the Blue Jays continue their season the chase for that elusive second no hitter will go on but for one night Bowden Francis brought the team and its fans to the brink of History reminding everyone just how special and unpredictable baseball can be and while st's record remains intact the empty chair at his table is waiting perhaps not for long