Padres Reject Mason Miller Pitch-Tipping Claims Following Blown Save

San Diego manager Craig Stammen dismissed online speculation regarding Mason Miller's performance after the Brewers rallied for a 4-3 victory in Game 2.

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen dismissed speculation that closer Mason Miller was tipping pitches during a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. The Brewers overcame a ninth-inning deficit by scoring two runs, fueled by three walks and a two-out, two-strike, two-run single by Jackson Chourio. Miller, an All-Star closer, struggled with command during his two-inning appearance, throwing only 21 of his 40 pitches for strikes.

Stammen stated on Monday at Petco Park that the organization employs a dedicated crew to monitor pitcher tendencies and that the team remains confident in its internal process. The loss placed the 91-win Padres in a 0-2 series hole as they return home for Game 3 on Tuesday night. Only 10 of 93 MLB teams have ever successfully recovered from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five series.

Nick Pivetta will start the must-win Game 3 for San Diego. The veteran right-hander missed nearly five months of the regular season with a right elbow injury, sidelined from April 12 until September 7. He recently pitched one-run ball into the fourth inning of a wild-card-series-clinching win against the Chicago Cubs.

The Brewers will counter with Dustin May, who previously played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and threw a one-hitter against the Padres earlier this season while with the Cardinals. San Diego has faced May 16 times since 2019.