Stephens, Coats among top prospect performers Sunday

Reynaldo Lopez’s ability to miss bats was on display Sunday as the right-hander struck out a career-high 12 hitters over five innings in Double-A Harrisburg’s 2-1 win against Akron. He allowed one earned run on five hits and did not issue a walk for the first time in nine starts for the Senators.

The Nationals’ No. 5 prospect struck out the side in the first and third innings and also recorded a pair of two-strikeout innings. Lopez, 22, has fanned 56 hitters in 47 2/3 innings on the season, while his ERA sits at 4.15 after Sunday’s outing. Meanwhile, opposing hitters are batting just .223 against him.

On the mound for RubberDucks was Indians No. 15 prospect Adam Plutko, who completed seven innings for the second time in his last three starts. The 24-year-old righty yielded one earned run on two hits — walking one and striking out four — to lower his season ERA to 2.66 in 50 2/3 innings, and he finished the month of May with a 1.75 ERA and a 27/4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 36 innings (six starts).

The rest of the best performances from top prospects Sunday

• No. 41 overall prospect David Dahl (Rockies’ No. 2) had a perfect day at the plate in Double-A Hartford’s win over Portland, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. The 22-year-old outfielder has tallied a pair of doubles in back-to-back games for the Yard Goats, giving him nine extra-base hits in his last 10 games. Overall, Dahl is hitting .294/.369/.583 with 11 home runs and 13 steals.

• On extra rest, No. 49 overall prospect Jameson Taillon (Pirates’ No. 4) picked up his fourth win of the season for Triple-A Indianapolis with six innings of one-run ball against Pawtucket. He scattered four hits and struck out three on the day while finding the zone …

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