Dodgers hand Mason Miller his first loss with Padres with winning run in the ninth
SAN DIEGO –– Mason Miller’s command was just a little too wild Tuesday night. Both to the plate, and to first base. With the Dodgers and Padres tied in the ninth inning at Petco Park, San Diego’s superstar closer made a mess for himself to blow his first game of the season.
First, he missed with a full-count slider to Max Muncy, having a called third strike flipped to a walk via Muncy’s ABS challenge. Mason Miller’s command was just a little too wild. AP Photo/Gregory Bull Then, with Alex Call in the game to pinch-run for Muncy at first base, Miller caught Call breaking from the bag –– only to misfire on his pick-off attempt.
Instead of quelling the Dodgers’ threat, Miller’s errant throw was too hard and too wide. It deflected off the outstretched glove of first baseman Ty France. It trickled all the way up the right field line as Call turned on the jets and raced safely to third.
In the Dodgers’ eventual 5-4 win, Andy Pages would bring Call home with a sacrifice fly at the end of an epic nine-pitch battle. It wasn’t the prettiest turn of events. But the Dodgers certainly didn’t mind.
Andy Pages brought Call home with a sacrifice fly at the end of an epic nine-pitch battle. AP Photo/Gregory Bull Instead, this important early-season rivalry series is now tied at one game apiece. For the first time this year, Miller failed to preserve a Padres lead or tied score.
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