San Diego Padres blow late lead as star closer Mason Miller crumbles in brutal walk-off to Brewers
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The San Diego Padres carried strong momentum into October after winning 20 of 23 games to finish the regular season and sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round. That energy disappeared Sunday in Milwaukee. A 4-3 loss to the Brewers in Game 2 leaves the Padres trailing 2-0 in the National League Division Series and facing elimination.
San Diego built an early lead behind RBI plays from Ty France and Dustin Harris. Milwaukee answered on Sal Frelick’s RBI single and a Padres fielding error to keep the score tight.
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NO, THE SAN DIEGO PADRES DIDN’T LOSE BECAUSE OF CONTROVERSIAL NINTH INNING HOME RUN RULING
Padres manager Craig Stammen turned to All-Star closer Mason Miller for a six-out save. Miller worked a clean 12-pitch eighth inning, but his command collapsed in the ninth. Miller walked three batters to load the bases without giving up a hit, setting up Jackson Chourio’s walk-off two-run single.
Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres pitches during Game 2 of the National League Division Series between the Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wis. (MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Craig Stammen of the San Diego Padres walks to the mound to make a pitching change during Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wis. (The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
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Miller was direct about his performance in the clubhouse after the game.
“Terrible,” Miller said. “I didn’t do my job today, so instead of being in here with a win and a series tie, we’re in a hole, so it feels pretty bad.”
Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres walks off the field as Milwaukee Brewers players celebrate defeating the Friars in Game 2 of the National League Division Series at American Family Field on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wis. (The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Miller pointed directly to his loss of control in the final frame.
“The cardinal rule is pretty much: You don’t beat yourself. And I beat myself today,” Miller said. “I mean, a base hit with nobody on doesn’t win them the game. A base hit after you walk the bases loaded does.”
Stammen defended using Miller for two innings.
“Top of the lineup in the eighth probably made that decision for Mason,” Stammen said. “Going into the game, we were thinking of Mason for six outs anyway, especially how quick the eighth inning went for him. He was just battling the strike zone there at the end.”
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The Padres locker room was all out of funk after the game, and for good reason. Coughing up a winnable playoff game on three unforced walks is an absolute gut punch.
San Diego had World Series aspirations coming into October, but Milwaukee flexed a better killer instinct to tear them to shreds.
Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres adjusts his cap after walking Gary Sanchez of the Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning of Game 2 of the National League Division Series at American Family Field on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wis. (The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Game 3 is Tuesday at Petco Park. Down 2-0, San Diego must win three straight games to keep its season alive.
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