Francisco Lindor ended Bowden Francis’s no-hitter with a leadoff homer to ignite a six-run ninth inning as the visiting New York Mets defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the second time in four starts that Francis lost a no-hitter on a leadoff homer in the ninth.
Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward took Francis deep to start the ninth on Aug. 24 in Toronto.
The Blue Jays’ only no-hitter was pitched by Dave Stieb at Cleveland on Sept. 2, 1990.
Francisco Alvarez added a three-run home run in the Mets’ explosive ninth as New York (80-66) took the rubber match of the three-game series with Toronto (69-78).
Francis entered the ninth with a 1-0 lead but was pulled after Lindor launched his 31st home run of the season to right. The right-hander threw 111 pitches, walking one, fanning one and hitting two batters over eight-plus innings.
Chad Green replaced Francis and allowed the first three batters to reach before Pete Alonso’s sacrifice fly gave the Mets a 2-1 lead.
J.D. Martinez followed with a walk before Starling Marte plated Jose Iglesias with a flyout to chase Green (4-6).
Alvarez ambushed Genesis Cabrera’s first pitch with a drive to center – his seventh homer – to propel New York ahead 6-1.
Mets left-hander Sean Manaea allowed one run, three hits and four walks with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Manaea’s first two pitches of the fourth inning resulted in singles by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ernie Clement.
Will Wagner walked to load the bases before Davis Schneider’s fielder’s choice grounder to third scored the game’s first run.
Schneider robbed Harrison Bader of a hit when he made a leaping catch at the wall in left field to lead off the sixth.
Danny Young (4-0) got the final out of the home eighth.
Ryne Stanek allowed a run in Toronto’s ninth on pinch hitter Addison Barger’s two-out RBI single.
After George Springer’s infield hit, Edwin Diaz entered to retire Nathan Lukes on one pitch to secure his 18th save.
Toronto shortstop Leo Jimenez (sore foot) was a late scratch on Wednesday.
