San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller took responsibility after his difficult outing in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
Miller entered the game with the Padres protecting a 3-2 lead and was asked to record six outs. After a strong eighth inning, the right-hander returned for the ninth with San Diego three outs from tying the series.
Instead, the Brewers rallied against Miller, loading the bases before Jackson Chourio delivered a two-run walk-off single. The result left the Padres facing a 2-0 series deficit.
“Failure in my role is really hard to move past when you look at it because most of the time when you fail, you lose,” Miller said. “Other spots, you get another chance, but that’s part of it.”
Miller issued three walks in the ninth inning before facing Chourio with the game on the line. After battling through a lengthy at-bat, Chourio lined a fastball into center field to bring home the winning runs.
The Padres closer did not point to an outside factor for the collapse. When asked whether he had lost his feel or his mechanics, Miller offered a blunt assessment: “Sure looked like it.”
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The loss puts San Diego in a difficult position heading into Game 3. The Padres now need three consecutive victories to advance, beginning with their return to Petco Park.
For Miller, the immediate challenge will be moving past one of the toughest outings of his young career. His comments showed that he understood the weight of the moment, even as the Padres prepare for a must-win game.
Now the Padres have to find a way to respond. Their season depends on it.
