Rochester 3, Memphis 2 - A two-run rally in the top of the eighth inning gave the Rochester Red Wings a one-run lead that held, giving the Red Wings their 15th International League pennant and 20th league championship since the team's founding in 1899.
Eight Rochester pitchers combined to hold Memphis to two earned runs on three hits and four walks, striking out 11 RedBirds, with only starter Zak Kent pitching more than a single inning. Kent threw three scoreless, hitless innings in the opening role, allowing a single walk to Bligh Madris to start off the bottom of the second.
In the top of the first, Riley Adams drove in Seaver King with a single to left for a 1-0 Rochester lead.
Zach Levenson's fifth-inning solo homer tied the game at one apiece, and Memphis took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh when Bligh Madris doubled home Ramon Mendoza.
But Rochester rallied in the top of the eighth, with Andrew Pinckney hitting an RBI double with two outs to right that scored Leandro Pineda to tie the game. The next batter, Cortland Lawson, singled to center field, scoring Pinckney with the go-ahead run.
Memphis was able to get the go-ahead run on base in the bottom of the eighth when Kyle Nicolas walked Brady Moore with one out and then issued a free pass to Jimmy Crooks with two away, but Memphis wasn't able to advance the runners.
Eddy Yean threw a perfect ninth for Rochester to earn the save.
Oklahoma City 5, Las Vegas 2 - The Oklahoma City Comets built an early lead and streaked to victory, taking the Pacific Coast League pennant with a 5-2 win in Game 3 behind a combined four-hit effort from seven different pitchers.
It's the sixth league championship for the Comets franchise and third in the PCL, where the franchise won the 1965 pennant during a five-year run in the west coast Triple-A loop before playing in the then-Triple-A American Association from 1969-97. The organization also won the PCL flag in 2023 and won AA titles in 1963, 1992, and 1996.
Ryan Fitzgerald's one-out double to right field in the second scored Alek Thomas for a 1-0 lead, and they extended the lead in the top of the third when Mike Sirota singled home Zach Ehrhard. Alek Thomas followed with a sac fly that scored Josue De Paula to make it 3-0.
Ehrhard and De Paula each hit RBI doubles in the top of the eighth to give the Comets a 5-0 lead.
Brayan Buelvas hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to cut into the lead, but Las Vegas never got closer.
Where to Watch the One Game For All the Marbles - The Rochester Red Wings and Oklahoma City Comets will meet on Saturday at Las Vegas Ballpark for the 2026 Triple-A National Championship Game on Saturday night.
The one-off game has been held since 2006, with the last four being played at the home of the Las Vegas Aviators. In 19 games, the IL champion has won eight times and the PCL champion has won 11 times.
Scheduled for 10:05 p.m. EDT on Saturday, fans can tune in on MiLB.tv and BallySportsLive.
Triple-A Championship Series Schedule
All times Eastern Daylight Time
* - if necessary
Sept. 22
Rochester Red Wings 4, Memphis RedBirds 3 - Game 1
Las Vegas Aviators 13, Oklahoma City Comets 11 - Game 1
Sept. 23
Memphis RedBirds 15, Rochester Red Wings 4 - Game 2
Oklahoma City Comets 7, Las Vegas Aviators 2 - Game 2
Sept. 24
Rochester Red Wings 3, Memphis RedBirds 2 - Game 3
Oklahoma City Comets 5, Las Vegas Aviators 2 - Game 3