After near no-hitter, Jays' Bowden Francis faces Red Sox

(Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports)
After carrying a no-hitter into the ninth inning of his last start, Bowden Francis will take the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays in the finale of a four-game series against the host Boston Red Sox on Thursday.

Francis (7-3, 4.02 ERA) held the Los Angeles Angels hitless for eight innings in a 3-1Toronto win on Saturday, losing his bid for the second no-hitter in Blue Jay