Rochester falls in AAA National Championship Game, 5-3

BY DAN GLICKMAN

The Rochester Red Wings’ bullpen had been a strength all season. So was the offense. But neither proved enough in Saturday’s AAA National Championship Game in Las Vegas, as the team fell, 5-3, to the Oklahoma City Comets in 10 innings, ending one of the best seasons in the team’s history just short of its first AAA title since 1971.

Holding a 2-0 lead for much of the game, Rochester saw its lead evaporate in the eighth inning that brought them into a tie the Dodgers’ top affiliate and then fall behind for good in the 10^th inning on a three-run Alek Thomas double after a ninth-inning rally fell short for Rochester.

“This was an unbelievable, big-boy baseball game, both teams had chances,” said Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy. “We had chances late, and that’s all you can ask for, but we didn’t get that big hit.”

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Despite the loss, LeCroy had nothing but good things to say about the team.

“I told them [after the game] to keep their head up, and I love them all,” he said. “They worked extremely hard every single day, my staff was energetic, passionate about the work and making guys better, and for me, that’s all you can ask.”

He similarly reflected on the season, which saw them go a AAA-best 90-58 before winning the International League Championship Series in three games, the team’s first IL title since 1997.

“We put together an unbelievable season, we’re the IL champions, then [we came] out here and played a one-game playoff against a really tough opponent, and we just didn’t get that hit. But, man, I’m super-proud of all of them.”

Rochester had taken an early lead in the first two innings, as right fielder Leandro Pineda got hold of an Emmet Sheehan changeup and sent it through the right side of the infield with two outs in the first, bringing home Cayden Wallace from third to give the Red Wings a 1-0 advantage. Then, in the second inning, Liover Peguero got all of a high fastball and demolished it, hitting a 454 foot home run to left to up the lead to 2-0.

After that, the Red Wings lived and died by their pitching. After initially struggling in the first by giving up a hit and a walk, starter Jack Cebert ultimately threw two shutout innings. He was followed up by Jarlin Susana, the top pitching prospect in the Washington organization making just his second AAA appearance. Hitting as high as 104 MPH on the radar gun in Las Vegas, the 22-year-old right-hander threw two shutout innings of his own, striking out one while allowing a lone hit.

More scoreless innings from the bullpen followed: Joe Glassey, Max Kranick, and Erick Mejia all passed along the baton. But the luck ran out with Eddy Yean, who had been one of the steadiest bullpen hands all season. The right-hander walked James Tibbs III to start the seventh inning, and then allowed him to move to second on a wild pitch. Mike Sirota followed with a single to right to score Tibbs and make it 2-1, and after getting moved to third he was brought home by a Ryan Fitzgerald double to tie it, 2-2.

The Red Wings had a chance to break the tie in the ninth, when they got two men on with one out, chasing away Oklahoma City reliever Paul Gervase and bringing in Seth Halvorson. Seaver King grounded into a fielders’ choice at second that put runners at the corners with two outs, but Red Wings team MVP Trey Lipscomb flew out to center to end the potential walk-off threat.

The top of the tenth proved fateful, as Clayton Beeter struggled against the Comets, walking two to load the bases with no outs (after Josue De Paula started the inning at second) before Thomas doubled center to bring in three runs and give Oklahoma City a 5-2 lead. While Matt Krook came in and got the next three batters to stop the bleeding, but the damage was done – although the Red Wings would threaten in the bottom of the tenth, the same double-play off the bat of Riley Adams that brought in a run to cut the lead to 5-3 helped squash a would-be comeback for the Wings, who saw their season end with a strikeout by Pineda.

The loss means the Red Wings still haven’t won an overall AAA title since 1971, although it should be noted that some of their International League championships since then, including 1997, did not have AAA championship events past the league level.

With the 2026 minor league season over, some are likely already looking towards the next campaign. The 2027 minor league season is currently shrouded in mystery, with questions of the effects of a potential MLB work stoppage hanging over the minor leagues in general and AAA in particular. While it’s unlikely that a work stoppage would directly affect the minor leagues, it could bring more attention to them, and also may lead to some players who may have otherwise been called to the big leagues staying in Rochester longer than initially expected. In 1981, for example, it is generally agreed that Cal Ripken Jr. spent longer in Rochester than planned due to that season’s strike.

And, of course, there is the question of personnel. LeCroy has been the only manager the Red Wings have ever known as a Nationals affiliate, and on Saturday he was named the International League’s Manager of the Year. He doesn’t know if he’ll be back next season, but he’s hoping he will.

“I’m sure I’ll find out something here in the next couple of days, I hope I’ll get the opportunity to come back,” he said. “I’d love to come back and do it again, but, you know, it’s out of my control.”

Rochester starts the 2027 season on Friday, March 26 with a home game against the Syracuse Mets. Before that, though, the Red Wings will be holding a celebration event for fans at ESL Ballpark on Monday at 6 p.m. that will feature the International League trophy and pennant as well as food and entertainment.