Nationals Prospects Are Starting To Force A Bigger Conversation

A dramatic comeback and powerful hitting propelled Rochester Red Wings and Harrisburg Senators to thrilling victories, showcasing standout performances on the field.

Rochester erased a six-run hole on Sunday and turned a wild one into a 7-6 win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Red Wings were staring at a 6-0 deficit before the offense finally broke through with six runs in the sixth inning to square things up. Riley Adams then delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh, and the bullpen made that slim edge stand up.

Chandler Champlain took the ball for Rochester and had a rough afternoon. He allowed six hits and four runs, all earned, over four innings, with two walks and three strikeouts. Three of those hits left the yard, part of a start that put the Red Wings in an early bind.

Max Kranick got the win after throwing a scoreless seventh, and Gus Varland finished it off in the ninth for his eighth save. Varland allowed one hit and one walk but kept Scranton/Wilkes-Barre off the board.

At the plate, Rochester stacked up nine singles, and six of them came with runners in scoring position. Seaver King, Cayden Wallace and Adams each had two hits. King finished 2-for-5 with a run and two strikeouts, Wallace went 2-for-4 with a run, an RBI and an error, and Adams was 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs.

Harrisburg had a much cleaner day at the plate, hammering New Hampshire 9-3 and getting back to .500 at 67-67.

The Senators hit four home runs in the victory. Jarlin Susana started and went 3 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and two runs, both earned, with no walks and six strikeouts.

Luke Young was credited with the win after working 1 1/3 innings, allowing two hits but no runs while walking two and striking out one. He stranded two inherited runners in the process.

Eli Willits put together the first four-hit game of his career, going 4-for-6 with two runs, a homer, three RBIs and two stolen bases. Branden Boissiere also drove in three, connecting for his 10th home run at Double-A and 13th overall.

He finished 2-for-5 with a run. Jared Bazzell added to the power surge as well, going 2-for-4 with two runs, a walk, a double, a home run and an RBI.

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