When the Toronto Blue Jays traded Yusei Kikuchi to Houston, it opened up a spot for Bowden Francis.
The right-handed pitcher has certainly taken advantage of this chance.
Francis has a record of 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his last seven starts, allowing just 16 hits in 48 innings during this impressive run.
He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Angels on August 24 and did the same against the Mets last week. Both no-hitters ended with a leadoff home run: Taylor Ward for Los Angeles and Francisco Lindor for New York.
Francis mentioned that he tried not to think about being in the same situation during Lindor’s at-bat.
“Don’t change anything. Keep attacking. Keep stuffing strikes,” Francis said. “It came down to one of the best hitters in the league, and I left it over the plate.”
Francis is scheduled to pitch again on Wednesday night against Texas. He has an 8-4 record with a 3.50 ERA in 25 games, including his first 11 starts in the majors.
At 28 years old, Francis earned a spot in Toronto’s rotation during spring training. However, he was moved to the bullpen after struggling against Houston and the New York Yankees.
On April 25, Francis was placed on the 15-day injured list due to forearm tendinitis. After a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo, he rejoined Toronto’s team in June.
When Kikuchi was traded in July, Francis returned to the Blue Jays’ rotation.
Francis noted that the biggest change in his pitching since the middle of the season is the addition of a split-finger fastball.
“Not just a two-pitch guy,” Francis said, as he had previously relied on his fastball and curveball. “A lot of trust and a lot of work and a lot of adapting.”
