MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a come-from-behind “Never say die” win as Triple-A Rochester Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy said after his team won the Triple-A International League championship last night with a 3-2 victory over the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. Rochester took games one and three of the best-of-three International League Championship Series and by doing so, will now head to Las Vegas for a winner-take-all championship game on Saturday night.
With Rochester’s win as a team with multiple MLB affiliations in their long and storied history, this was their first International League title since 1997, ending a 29-year drought and earning their first championship as a Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate.
This marks the team’s 20th league title overall. Rochester won its first nine titles (1899–1931) based solely on regular-season records before playoffs existed, followed by 10 playoff titles under the long-running Governors’ Cup playoff format (started in 1933). This is their first playoff crown under the current format, introduced in 2023, where the winners of the season’s two halves face off in a quick best-of-three series.
Rochester entered the postseason as the International League Second Half Champion after finishing the half 45-30 with a .600 winning percentage and closing the regular season with a 90-58 overall record. The Wings opened the Championship Series Tuesday night with a 4-3 victory over Memphis, and took care of business last night with a thrilling come-from-behind win after trailing 2-1 in the 8th inning.
Rochester rallied for two runs in that 8th inning to defeat Memphis, 3-2, and capture the International League championship Thursday night. Andrew Pinckney tied the game with an RBI double before Cortland Lawson singled him home with the go-ahead run. Trey Lipscomb collected three hits, while reliever Zak Kent was the opener and set the tone with three hitless innings, and Eddy Yean went 1-2-3 in the 9th for the save.
The star of the game, Lawson, who wasn’t even supposed to play in the game, came up huge. He was promoted to Triple-A on Sept. 8th, and only had 16 at-bats in Triple-A Rochester before Thursday night when he was subbed in for Sam Petersen who was injured — and Lawson gets the game-winning hit to send Rochester to the championship game.
“It’s hard to express just how meaningful it is to bring home the International League Championship to Rochester. The love and support this community has poured into our team for nearly 150 years can once again be celebrated with this moment in Red Wings history. A truly perfect ending to a year full of memories celebrated with friends and families. Now a new generation of Red Wings fans will have the pleasure of celebrating a Rochester Championship.”
— said Red Wings President, Naomi Silver
Rochester led all of Minor League Baseball with 90 regular-season wins, reaching that mark for the first time since 1953. The Wings paced the International League with 843 runs scored and a plus-142 run differential. In the second half, Rochester hit .271 with 114 home runs, scoring 458 runs and outscoring opponents by 99.
The Red Wings carried that momentum into the postseason. Rochester took Game 1 in Memphis, 4-3, on three hits from Seaver King, including a go-ahead solo home run in the fifth inning, and a bullpen effort that secured the club’s first postseason win since 2013.
These types of games are full team wins in these close game. A 1-0 game went to 1-1, then Memphis took the lead to go up 2-1 and they inserted their closer into the game with 2-outs in the 7th inning to try to close it out.
Remember how we talked about official scorer discretion on blown saves before the 6th inning is rarely done? Well, last night in the 4th inning, Jake Bird gave up a solo homer to Zach Levenson, and the official scorer collared Bird with a blown save to tie the game at 1-1. Bird only got one out and Joe Glassey finished his inning and kept it 1-1.
Remember Erick Mejia, 31, the Nats position player turned reliever? He was signed by Seattle in 2012 as an international free agent shortstop. Mejia made his MLB debut in 2019 for the Royals as a shortstop. Well, last night he pitched a perfect inning in relief with three strikeouts. Max Kranick also had a perfect inning. And Kyle Nicolas pitched a scoreless 8th for the hold.
“The team, through its many changes this year, came out swinging and deserves all the accolades they are getting. Tremendous credit goes to Manager Matt LeCroy, who has truly become a part of our community over his 6 years as manager. He and his staff will forever be etched into Red Wings history with this, the 20th League Championship. Our deepest gratitude to the Washington Nationals, whose great depth of talent and process throughout their Minor League system has shone through all year, providing winners to us at every position.”
— Silver said
After the game, LeCroy told us that he was saving Jarlin Susana if the game went into extra innings. Then he said this:
As it turns out, the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings will face Oklahoma City Comets in this one game winner-take-all Triple-A Championship in Las Vegas on Saturday. Oklahoma City is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they are stacked with top MiLB prospects like №1 prospect Josue De Paula, and №2 prospect Mike Sirota. Rochester and Oklahoma City finished with the two best records in Triple-A baseball this season.
With the International League championship secured, Rochester will now advance to the Triple-A National Championship Game on Saturday, September 26, at Las Vegas Ballpark with a late start time. The game will be carried live on MLB Network.
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