The San Diego Padres are down 2-0 in the NLDS to the Milwaukee Brewers after completely collapsing in Game 2 on Sunday night. Mason Miller, who has been consistent throughout most of his career, blew the save in the bottom of the ninth, allowing two earned runs that allowed Milwaukee to secure a 4-3 win.
Shortly after the contest, the 28-year-old closer admitted he broke a “cardinal rule” in the final frame of the contest, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Miller claims he broke the cardinal rule of beating yourself, which allowed the Brewers to take advantage of his mistakes to steal the win away in the closing minutes.
“The cardinal rule is you don’t beat yourself,” Miller said. “I beat myself today. A base hit with nobody on doesn’t win them the game. A base hit after you walked the bases loaded does.”
Article Continues BelowMiller pitched 1.2 innings, recording two strikeouts while allowing three walks, a hit, and two earned runs. It was a brutal way for the Padres to lose that game, especially considering how well the pitching group had played up to that point. Michael King was lights out once again (six K's, three hits, one ER), while relievers Yuki Matsui and Bradgley Rodriguez kept the Brewers' bats at bay.
The franchise is now in do-or-die time, as another loss eliminates the Padres from the playoffs. They'll have a chance to get back in the win column in Game 3 on Tuesday, October 6. It will be the first home game in San Diego this series.

