New York Mets vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Match report, recap and team stats – September 11, 2024 Gametracker

TORONTO (AP) Francisco Lindor broke Bowden Francis' no-hit effort with a home run to tie the game at the top of the ninth inning, Francisco Alvarez added a three-run shot and the New York Mets scored six times in their final at-bat, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 on Wednesday.

“It felt really good,” Lindor said of his game-winning home run. “It was one of those hits where I noticed the mood in the dugout getting better.”

With the Braves' 5-1 loss in Washington, New York moved one game ahead of its rivals Atlanta for the National League's last wild card.

At the start of the ninth inning, the crowd of 29,399 was on its feet and Francis took a 2-0 lead before the four-time All-Star blasted a 92-mph fastball 398 feet into right field for his 31st home run.

“Everything went according to plan until the last pitch,” Lindor said.

The home run came on Francis' 111th pitch, only the second time he threw more than 100.

“With so many throws, I felt like I had to empty the tank of heaters and let him put the ball in play,” Francis said.

It was the second time in four starts that Francis was the first batter to lose a no-hitter with a home run in the ninth inning – Taylor Ward had hit a home run against the right-hander for the Los Angeles Angels on August 24.

Francis became the first pitcher since Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan at Texas in 1989 to lose two no-hit attempts in the ninth inning in one season.

“It's unfortunate for him that this happened to him twice in the same way,” said Toronto manager John Schneider.

Dave Stieb threw the only no-hitter in Blue Jays history on September 2, 1990 in Cleveland. Two years earlier, Stieb had lost two no-hitters in the ninth inning.

Francis' two most recent near-wins are the longest no-hit innings by a Blue Jays pitcher since Brandon Morrow threw 8 2/3 innings without a hit against Tampa Bay in August 2010.

Francis was named AL Pitcher of the Month for August when he went 4-1 with a 1.05 ERA, striking out 39 and walking four in six appearances, five starts.

“I can’t stress enough how he has developed and how much he has taken from this opportunity,” said Schneider.

Francis issued one walk, one strikeout, and hit a batter with a pitch twice.

“We couldn't put much together,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Today he was at his best. He's been the same the last few games. Nothing overwhelming, but just enough to miss barrels.”

Lindor's hit was New York's first home run in the last four games and the first for either team in the series.

“He just got us going,” said Mendoza. “A special player, a special person.”

Sean Manaea had eight strikeouts and allowed one run and three hits in 6 2/3 innings. Danny Young (4-0) got one out as a relief pitcher and helped the Mets to their 11th win in 13 games.

Pinch-hitter Addison Barger had an RBI single against Ryne Stanek with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. George Springer followed with an infield single, but Edwin Díaz needed just one pitch to earn his 18th save in 24 chances.

Chad Green (4-6) replaced Francis and allowed an infield single to Jose Iglesias, who advanced to second base on a throwing error. Mark Vientos and Brandon Nimmo earned walks to load the bases before Pete Alonso hit a sacrifice fly.

JD Martinez got a second walk to load the bases, and Starling Marte chased Green away with a sacrifice fly.

Génesis Cabrera came in and allowed a home run on Alvarez's first pitch, the Mets catcher's seventh of the season and first since August 19.

The Mets have gone eight times without a hit. The last pitcher to do so was Max Scherzer on October 3, 2015 against Washington.

Harrison Bader of New York opened the sixth with a hit to deep left field, but Davis Schneider of Toronto made a great catch at the wall.

The Mets honored first responders with special caps, and Lindor wore a custom-decorated glove on the anniversary of September 11.

Lindor needed time when a wasp landed on his glove at shortstop in the sixth inning. Second base umpire Stu Scheurwater helped by hitting the wasp with his cap.

“They were still out there,” Lindor said. “It was one of those where we said, 'I hope it didn't die.' We didn't want any more bugs to show up.”

Davis Schneider scored the first run for Toronto in the fourth inning on a fielder's decision.

TRAINING ROOM

Mets RHP Paul Blackburn returned to New York to have imaging done on his sore lower back, Mendoza said.

Next

Mets: LHP Jose Quintana (8-9, 4.09 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday when New York travels to Philadelphia to open a three-game series.

Blue Jays: Toronto hosts St. Louis in a three-game series that begins Friday.

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