Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-05 · by Steve Megargee The Associated Press
Mason Miller, typically a dominant closer for the San Diego Padres, struggled in Game 2 of their NL Division Series against Milwaukee on Sunday, walking three consecutive batters in the ninth inning. This led to Jackson Chourio’s walk-off single, resulting in a 4-3 loss and putting the Padres at a 2-0 deficit heading into Game 3. Miller's performance was uncharacteristic for a reliever who posted a 1.67 ERA during the regular season but has had recent inconsistency. The article focuses on Miller’s breakdown and its impact on San Diego’s playoff chances.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In Game 2 of the NLDS between the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers, the Padres led 3-2 heading into the ninth inning with strong closer Mason Miller on the mound. However, Miller struggled, walking three consecutive batters to load the bases. With two outs, Jackson Chourio hit a walk-off two-run single off a 101.3 mph fastball from Miller, scoring Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick for a 4-3 win by Milwaukee. This victory gave the Brewers a commanding 2-0 series lead, putting the Padres on the brink of elimination as they face Game 3 in San Diego.
Written for “Brewers Win Crucial NLDS Game” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 6 other(s) covering the same event.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Mason Miller’s emergence as the best closer in the major leagues helped get San Diego into the playoffs.
asserted
emergence → get → playoffs
His uncharacteristic troubles in the ninth inning Sunday have the Padres on the brink of elimination.
asserted
troubles → have → elimination
The two-time All-Star closer struggled with control, loading the bases in the ninth inning against Milwaukee with the first three walks of his postseason career as he tried to complete a six-out save.
asserted
he → struggle → save
Jackson Chourio followed with a walk-off, two-run single with two outs that dealt the Padres a 4-3 loss.
asserted
that → follow → loss
San Diego went home in a 2-0 NL Division Series deficit heading into Game 3 Tuesday.
asserted
Diego → go → Game
“I didn’t do my job today, so instead of being here with a win and a series tie, we’re in a hole,” Miller said.
asserted
Miller → do → hole
Miller’s unsuccessful attempt at his first six-out save since 2024 came one day after Adrian Morejon gave up a tiebreaking homer to William Contreras in the seventh inning of a 3-2 defeat.
asserted
Morejon → come → defeat
“Two really good games that didn’t go our way,” first baseman Ty France said.
asserted
France → go → ?
“Just go back home and play each game like it’s our last.”
asserted
it → go → game
San Diego’s inability to protect two-run leads in each of these first two games is a notable turn of events for a team that could shorten games much of the season because of its deep corps of relief pitchers.
uncertain
that → protect → pitchers
The hard-throwing Miller led the bullpen brigade by collecting 38 saves and posting a 1.67 ERA while striking out 129 batters over 70 innings in the regular season.
asserted
Miller → throw → season
He threw 34 2/3 straight scoreless innings at one point in the season.
asserted
He → throw → season
He had an 0.79 ERA at the end of July before posting a 3.33 ERA from Aug. 1 through the end of the regular season.
asserted
He → have → season
Even so, Miller’s presence has given the Padres a sense of security they can maintain any late-inning lead.
asserted
they → give → lead
It didn’t happen Sunday.
asserted
It → happen → ?
Miller retired the side in order with a pair of strikeouts in the eighth inning and got the leadoff batter in the ninth with San Diego ahead 3-2.
asserted
Diego → retire → ninth
That’s when the problems started.
asserted
problems → ’ → ?
Christian Yelich walked on five pitches and stole second.
asserted
Yelich → walk → pitches
Sal Frelick walked on a 3-2 pitch.
asserted
Frelick → walk → pitch
After Miller retired Andrew Vaughn on a fly to center, Gary Sánchez walked while taking six straight pitches.
asserted
Sánchez → retire → pitches
Chourio fell behind 1-2 in the count, fouled off Miller’s fasted pitch of the day at 103.5 mph, then took a low slider before lining a 101.3 mph offering just past past second baseman Jake Cronenworth’s attempt for a diving backhand stop and went into center field.
asserted
Chourio → fall → field
Although Miller threw 40 pitches — his most since 2023 — he said that didn’t impact him and that he had felt fine.
asserted
he → throw → him
He topped 100 mph with 18 pitches.
asserted
He → top → pitches
“It’s not the first save I’ve blown and it probably won’t be the last one I blow, either,” Miller said.
asserted
Miller → ’ → ?
“It’s part of the job.
asserted
It → ’ → job
Failure in my role is really hard to move past, I guess, when you look at it, because most of the time, when you fail, you lose.
asserted
you → move → time
Other spots, you get another chance.
asserted
you → get → chance
That’s part of it.
asserted
That → ’ → it
I’m going to come back and be prepared to pitch Tuesday and do my best to help the team win.
asserted
team → go → best
San Diego remains confident it came rebound,
asserted
it → remain → ?
If the Padres do, Miller likely would play a major role.
asserted
Miller → do → role
“He’s been unbelievable ever since he put on a Padre uniform,” pitcher Michael King said.
asserted
King → put → uniform
“I know everybody in this locker room wants him with the ball in a big situation — and still does.”
asserted
everybody → know → situation
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