Toronto Blue Jays’ Bowden Francis loses no-hit bid in 9th inning [Video]

When Toronto Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis hopped on his electric bicycle for the four-kilometre spin to Rogers Centre, he hoped for the kind of performance he put forth a few hours later.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a career-best outing but lost his bid for a no-hitter when Taylor Ward led off the ninth inning with a solo home run in Toronto’s 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.

“I’m still getting chills,” Francis told reporters after the Blue Jays earned their sixth straight win over the Angels in the past 12 days.

He set a career high with 12 strikeouts, as well as career highs with eight-plus innings pitched and 117 pitches thrown.

Even though Francis had thrown 16 more pitches than his career high after eight innings, Toronto manager John Schneider allowed his righty to try to throw the franchise’s second no-hitter.

“I was ready to go …