Cardinals Push Star Closer Mason Miller to Brink Before Falling to Padres
The Cardinals made San Diego superstar closer Mason Miller throw 29 pitches in the ninth inning before falling 4-2 to the Padres on Saturday at Petco Park.
Roundtable Sports writer John Denton discusses how the Cardinals pushed star San Deigo closer Mason Miller to the limit on Saturday by making his throw 29 pitches. Throughout the season, as the Cardinals’ have overwhelmed foes and surprised onlookers, manager Oliver Marmol has reminded that “tiny victories” have often added up for sustained success for MLB’s second-youngest squad. Getting 23-year-old slugger Jordan Walker to swing at fewer sliders off the plate is one of those “tiny victories” the Cardinals have chalked up at times this season.
Having Michael McvGreevy and Matthew Liberatore learn how to get outs without overwhelming velocity has been another. The Cardinals lost 4-2 to the Padres on Saturday night, but how they made superstar closer Mason Miller work in the eighth and ninth innings might qualify as a tiny victory that could pay dividends in the series finale on Sunday. JJ turns on the jets and we've got a one-run game!
✈️ pic. twitter. com/PanIGhvqeS — St.
Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 10, 2026 Miller, who has gained national headlines for how he has dominated hitters this season, came into Saturday 11 for 11 in saves with a 1. 04 ERA in 17 appearances. He had allowed just seven hits and two earned runs in 17 1/3 innings while striking out 34 and walking just three.