Bowden Francis didn’t give up a hit until the sixth inning and left after allowing just one in seven innings Thursday in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Francis (8-3) faced the minimum number of batters over 5 1/3 innings, with the only Red Sox player reaching base was Jarren Duran on an error in the fourth. Duran was then thrown out trying to steal second base.
Francis’ no-hitter hopes ended with one out in the sixth inning when Nick Sogard singled to center field. Francis had struck out five batters without issuing a walk when he was pulled from the mound in the middle of the seventh inning.
In his previous outing, Francis pitched eight hitless innings against the Los Angeles Angels before allowing a solo homer to start the ninth.
“He was just totally in control,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s got such a great attitude — mentally, physically, execution-wise. His pitching arsenal is great. Not much to say other than that. He’s really pretty darn good right now.”
Francis, however, said he didn’t feel as sharp as he did in Saturday’s game against the Angels.
“I felt a little bit more tired in the warm-up,” he said. “It’s one of those days where you really have to be sharp. One of those days where you have to fight and find ways.”
In five starts in August, Francis allowed four runs in 34 innings, posting a 1.06 ERA.
“I try to win every game I start,” he said. “I think the stats come when you think the right things, take care of your business and treat people the right way. I think the universe has a way of putting things in order. I just have to keep my head down.”
Genesis Cabrera allowed a hit in the eighth, then Chad Green pitched in the ninth. After reaching for Mickey Gasper, Green forced Tyler O’Neill to ground out to earn his 16the rescue of the season.
Kutter Crawford (8-12) held the Blue Jays to two runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed two walks and fanned three batters.
Rich Hill, 44, was the first reliever called to the mound for the Red Sox, becoming the only active major league player to see action in each of the last 20 seasons.
The Blue Jays took the lead in the third when Brian Serven doubled before scoring on a double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. They made it 2-0 in the sixth on back-to-back doubles by Addison Barger and Ernie Clement.
The Red Sox narrowly missed a triple play in the ninth inning when Leo Jimenez bunted with runners on first and second. Pitcher Greg Weissert dove for the ball, then got up to make the out at second. Davis Schneider, however, was able to get back to first base in time to avoid the out.