Bowden Francis takes no-hitter into the sixth, Red Sox shut out by Blue Jays 2-0
The Red Sox bats were silenced all night as Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis limited Boston to just one hit over seven scoreless frames. The Blue Jays defeated the Red Sox 2-0 in the series finale on Thursday night.
Boston sent the minimum number of hitters to the plate in six of the seven innings against Francis and never got a baserunner in scoring position.
With the loss, the Red Sox have fallen to 3.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final wild-card spot in the American League.
Francis was efficient in his outing, tossing just five pitches in the first inning. The right-hander threw 25 pitches over the first three innings; Boston made soft contact on just about every out. He would set down the Red Sox lineup in order until the fifth inning, when Jarren Duran reached first base on an error. The All-Star MVP attempted to steal second and was immediately thrown out.
Recently promoted Nick Sogard broke up Francis’ no-hit bid with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Up to that point, the Blue Jays hurler allowed only one hit over his last 14 frames, dating back to Aug. 18. Francis threw 72.8% of his pitches for strikes, attacking the strike zone and not allowing the Red Sox hitters to dig in and create long at-bats.
In his last start, Francis carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels homered to spoil the bid.
Kutter Crawford kept his team in the game all night, allowing two runs over seven innings. He was charged with his 12th loss of the season, but the right-hander deserved better.
The Blue Jays plated their first run of the game in the third inning. Toronto catcher Brian Servern hit a fly into shallow center field that Duran was unable to make a play on. Crawford set down the next two hitters but couldn’t retire Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who smoked a fastball off the wall in center, scoring Servern.
Toronto tacked on another run in the sixth inning after back-to-back doubles to Addison Barger and Ernie Clement made it 2-0.
Rich Hill would make his 2024 debut in relief of Crawford, striking out Daulton Varsho to strand George Springer at second base in the seventh inning. With his appearance, the 44-year-old officially has pitched in 20 MLB seasons. He would finish the night tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his return to the big leagues.
The Red Sox had one last chance with a man on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but left fielder Tyler O’Neill grounded out to end the game.
Red Sox off to the Motor City
The Red Sox seemingly should be happy to be leaving Fenway Park after struggling to win at home all season long. Boston will travel to Detroit and play a three-game weekend series with the Tigers beginning Friday night at Comerica Park.
Tanner Houck (8-9, 3.23 ERA) will get the start for the Red Sox; however, the Tigers have not yet announced a starter for Friday. Following the series in Detroit, the Sox will travel to Citi Field and play the New York Mets starting Monday night.
