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| Bowden Francis took a no-hitter into the 9th inning in a losing effort as the Mets came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 6-2 |
After a solid win on the back of a 4-run 3rd inning rally, the Blue Jays were looking for their 2nd straight win, 15th series win and 9th season series win of the season. Bowden Francis got the start with Brian Serven behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Nathan Lukes in RF. Joey Loperfido was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. Luis De Los Santos was at the hot corner, Ernie Clement was at SS and Will Wagner got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins, 15 series wins and 9 season series wins? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th on a fielder's choice hit by Davis Schneider that scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Sean Manara pitching line: 6.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 4BB 8K 109 pitches (70 for strikes)
- The Mets tied it up in the top of the 9th as Francisco Lindor belted a solo jack to right
- Bowden Francis pitching line: 8IP 1H 1R (earned) 1BB 1K 111 pitches (68 for strikes)
- Four batters later, Jose Iglesias scored on a sac fly by Pete Alonso
- Two batters later, Eddy Alvarez scored on a sac fly by Srerling Marte
- A batter later, Francisco Alvarez hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Brandon Nimmo and JD Martinez
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Addison Barger singled scoring Daulton Varsho
- Edwin Diaz got the last out for his 20th save of the season
- Final score: Mets 6 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Bowden Francis was outstanding today, taking a no-hit bid into the 9th inning, the only blemishes, hitting Pete Alonso with a pitch in the 4th inning and a walk to Starling Marte two batters later. Unfortunately, the bid ended the same way it did a couple of starts prior, on a solo HR. This time, the home run tied the game since the offense only provided him with one run of support. It's a shame because Francis more than did his part to help his team win. Francis should be penciled in as the opening day starter based on the last 6 weeks of starts. Of course, all momentum will be lost come February next year so that will be determined by his performance in spring training
- Sadly, the bullpen was the exact opposite in terms of effectiveness. Chad Green was responsible for 4 of the 5 runs given up by himself and lefty Genesis Cabrera, who immediately gave up a no-doubter for three runs, followed by a loud double and a walk. Green has been a disaster the last month. Today, after a horrible throw from 3rd baseman Luis De Los Santos, Green walked three of the next 4 batters and the two outs he managed to get were sac flies that easily could have been home runs - the batters just missed the sweet spot of the bat. Is Green getting tired? Have teams figured him out? Is he playing through an injury that is impacting his effectiveness? Perhaps it's a little of all three. If it is the latter, he should be shut down
- The offense owes Bowden Francis an apology for not giving him more run support. One run isn't going to cut it on most days in today's game where the game has been adjusted to create more runs with bigger bases, fewer pickoffs allowed and the pitch clock.The youngsters on the team did the damage offensively today (Davis Schneider had a productive out on a fielder's choice and Addison Barger knocked in a late run on an RBI single. The only silver lining was the Blue Jays rallied in the 9th and forced the Mets to bring in closer Edwin Diaz, although, like the Blue Jays, the Mets have an off-day tomorrow so Diaz would be available Friday.
- With the loss, the Blue Jays are just four losses away from their first losing season since 2018.
- The Blue Jays were 1-9 with runners in scoring position\
- Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays cotinue the homestand against the Cardinals, another NL opponent desperate for a win to stay in the NL WC race (although being seven games back they are a long shot to be sure. The Cardinals took the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 22-15. Neither team has set their rotation for the series.
