Padres fall to Brewers, trail NLDS 2-0 as Miller goes on list

The San Diego Padres lost 4-3 to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series after closer Mason Miller walked three batters in the ninth inning and Jackson Chourio hit a two-run walk-off single. The defeat left San Diego trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five series and facing elimination. Miller entered with the Padres ahead 3-2 and retired the side in order in the eighth. In the ninth, he walked Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick, then recorded an out before walking Gary Sánchez to load the bases. Chourio lined a single into center field with two outs, scoring the runners and ending the game. Miller threw 40 pitches, his most in a game since 2023, but said the workload did not affect how he felt. After the loss, he took responsibility for the walks, saying he had beaten himself by allowing the bases to fill before Chourio’s hit. He had not recorded a six-out save since 2024. Manager Craig Stammen said the Padres had planned to use Miller for six outs. He explained that Miller returned for the ninth because the eighth inning had been quick, and said the closer was battling the strike zone late.