The San Diego Padres entered the National League Division Series with a surge, having won 20 of their last 23 regular‑season games and sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round. That confidence evaporated Sunday at Miller Park, where the Brewers edged the Padres 4‑3 in Game 2, putting San Diego down 2‑0 in the best‑of‑five series.
Early advantage erased
San Diego jumped ahead early, thanks to RBI hits from Ty France and Dustin Harris. Milwaukee answered with a Sal Frelick single and a defensive miscue by the Padres that kept the contest tight.
Mason Miller’s ninth‑inning collapse
Padres manager Craig Stammen called on All‑Star closer Mason Miller for a six‑out save. Miller delivered a clean 12‑pitch eighth inning, but his command unraveled in the ninth. He issued three consecutive walks, loading the bases without surrendering a hit. Jackson Chourio then delivered a walk‑off two‑run single, ending the game.
After the loss, Miller was candid in the clubhouse: “Terrible. 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.” He added, “The cardinal rule is pretty much: You don’t beat yourself. And I beat myself today. A base hit with nobody on doesn’t win them the game. A base hit after you walk the bases loaded does.”
Stammen defends the decision
Stammen explained the choice to keep Miller in for two innings: “Top of the lineup in the eighth probably made that decision for Mason. 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.”
What’s next for San Diego?
The Padres now face elimination. Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday at Petco Park. Down 2‑0, San Diego must win three straight to stay alive in the postseason.
Milwaukee’s victory highlighted a killer instinct that the Brewers capitalized on, turning a tight contest into a decisive walk‑off. For Padres fans, the loss is a painful reminder of how quickly a playoff series can shift, especially when a key reliever loses command at a critical moment.
Both teams will look to adjust their strategies as the series moves back to San Diego. The Padres will need to tighten their bullpen and avoid costly walks, while the Brewers will aim to sustain the momentum that has already put them in a commanding position.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
