TORONTO (AP) 鈥� After Taylor Ward offered a critical take on Toronto right-hander Bowden Francis鈥� latest strong start, fellow Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt made sure he had his teammate鈥檚 back.
Francis struck out a career-high 12 in Toronto's over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He was working on a no-hitter before Ward hit a leadoff homer in the ninth inning.
The 28-year-old Francis was named AL Player of the Week last week after going 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts. In the first of those, he pitched seven innings in a road win over the Angels on Aug. 12, allowing one run and one hit while striking out eight.
Ward struck out, was hit by a pitch and flew out before he connected for his 17th homer on Saturday.
鈥淚 thought that everything was hittable,鈥� Ward said of Francis after the loss. 鈥淢aybe to other guys he made better pitches. A lot of guys were talking about his split and that being on. But personally, I didn鈥檛 think it was anything special.鈥�
While Francis was being interviewed from the dugout during the television broadcast of Sunday鈥檚 game, Bassitt stood over his teammate鈥檚 shoulder that read 鈥�15 innings, 2 hits, 20 Ks. Hittable + Nothing Special.鈥�
Manager John Schneider said Bassitt and fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman have 鈥渒ind of taken Bowden under their wing,鈥� adding that he likes seeing his players stick up for each other.
鈥淚 love when the guys have each other鈥檚 back," Schneider said, "and I think Bowden鈥檚 results against (the Angels) speak for themselves.鈥�
Toronto beat the Angels to sweep the seven-game season series. The Blue Jays have won 11 of their past 13 against the Angels, dating to last season.
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