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Angels' Ward provides insight on Francis's near no-hitter: "Everything was hittable"
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    Angels’ Ward provides insight on Francis’s near no-hitter: “Everything was hittable”

    Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward might want to keep a low profile in the city of Toronto for the foreseeable future.

    Not only did he break up Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis‘s no-hitter bid on Saturday with a leadoff homer in the top of the ninth inning, but after the game, he also seemed unimpressed by Francis’s stuff.

    “I really don’t know. You know, I thought everything was hittable,” Ward said to MLB.com’s Julia Kreuz when asked what made Francis so tough. “Maybe to other guys, he made better pitches. A lot of guys were talking about his split and that being on. But personally, I didn’t think it was anything special.”

    Francis established career bests with 12 strikeouts and going eight-plus innings in his 117-pitch performance. After eight innings, Francis had thrown 111 pitches, 16 more than his career high.

    But that clearly wasn’t enough to impress Ward. In 123 games for the Angels this season, Ward is slashing .236/.310/.393 with 17 home runs.

    Ward and Francis got to know each other quite well on Saturday, as they also had a run-in during the third inning. Francis plunked the Angels outfielder with an errant pitch, but Ward was then erased in an inning-ending double play.

    Despite Ward breaking the hearts of Blue Jays fans everywhere, the home team still got the last laugh. After Ward’s homer in the ninth, Chad Green replaced Francis and shut the door on the Angels to preserve a 3-1 win for Toronto.

    The Angels and Ward — who is sure to be public enemy No. 1 in Toronto — are back at the Rogers Centre on Sunday as they look to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays. You can watch the game live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT.

    — With files from the Canadian Press

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    Los Angeles Angels pitcher Alex Ward recently spoke about his experience facing the Seattle Mariners’ Marco Francis in a near no-hitter game. Ward, who was the starting pitcher for the Angels that day, shared his insights on Francis’s dominant performance and what it was like to face him on the mound.

    In an interview with reporters after the game, Ward described Francis as a formidable opponent, stating that “everything was hittable” when facing him. Despite his best efforts, Ward struggled to make solid contact with Francis’s pitches, ultimately leading to a near no-hitter for the Mariners’ pitcher.

    Ward’s comments shed light on the challenges of facing a pitcher like Francis, whose skill and precision on the mound made it difficult for batters to get on base. The Angels’ pitcher acknowledged Francis’s talent and expressed admiration for his performance, recognizing that he was simply outmatched on that particular day.

    The near no-hitter game between the Angels and Mariners was a testament to the skill and determination of both pitchers, with Francis ultimately coming out on top. Ward’s insights provide a valuable perspective on what it’s like to face a dominant pitcher like Francis and the mental and physical challenges that come with it.

    Overall, Ward’s comments offer a glimpse into the competitive world of professional baseball and the intense battles that take place on the field. While the outcome of the game may not have been in his favor, Ward’s willingness to reflect on his performance and share his thoughts with the media demonstrates his professionalism and dedication to his craft.