TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis has not allowed a hit through seven innings against the New York Mets on Wednesday and Toronto leads 1-0.
Francis has walked one, struck out one and hit two batters. He’s thrown 102 pitches, 60 strikes.
Dave Stieb pitched the only no-hitter in Blue Jays history at Cleveland on Sept. 2, 1990.
New York’s Harrison Bader opened the sixth inning with a drive to deep left field but Toronto’s Davis Schneider made a great catch at the wall.
Francisco Lindor followed by lining out to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base.
Guerrero also caught a soft liner from Jose Iglesias in the fourth.
Francis took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Angels on Aug. 24 before outfielder Taylor Ward homered to begin the final frame.
Francis was named AL Pitcher of the Month for August, when he went 4-1 with a 1.05 ERA. He struck out 39 and walked four in six appearances, five starts.
There have been four no-hitters this season. The Chicago Cubs had a combined no-hitter against Pittsburgh last Wednesday, after complete-game efforts by Houston’s Ronel Blanco against Toronto on April 1, San Francisco’s Blake Snell at Cincinnati on April 2 and San Diego’s Dylan Cease at Washington on July 25.
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