Scoreless innings streak ends for Padres’ Mason Miller amid drama
Baseball really is a recreation of inches, and typically much less. Just ask San Diego Padres nearer Mason Miller.
Miller’s team-record streak of 34⅔ scoreless innings courting to final season — the eighth-longest streak for a reduction pitcher since 1961 — got here to an finish within the Padres’ 9-7 victory towards the Chicago Cubs on Monday evening, however not with out some controversy.
Cubs leadoff batter Matt Shaw hit a squibber up the third-base line that appeared to roll simply foul earlier than Padres infielder Ty France picked up the ball. Home-plate umpire Dan Merzel and third-base umpire Shane Livensparger, nevertheless, did not see it that means and stated the ball was nonetheless in honest territory when it was picked up and that the play was non-reviewable.
“The call is what it is,” Miller advised reporters after the sport. “I thought I saw something different, but he was a lot closer than I was. And I think everyone in the stadium had an opinion, but ultimately it’s only his that matters, so that’s the cards we were dealt.”
France, who had moved from first base to 3rd after Manny Machado was injured earlier within the recreation, additionally thought the ball was in foul territory when he picked it up.
“It stopped rolling,” France stated. “I thought it was foul, but they said otherwise. They said they both had it fair and it’s a non-reviewable play.”
Miller then gave up consecutive singles to load the bases, and the streak got here to an finish when Shaw scored on a groundout by Nico Hoerner.
“Parents win, that’s what matters at the end of the day,” Miller stated. “Had to stare down the barrel, bases loaded, no outs. Got back to it and got out of there.”
Padres supervisor Craig Stammen additionally stated he thought the ball hit by Shaw was foul, particularly after seeing the replay on the scoreboard.
“We trust that our players are watching the ball, and Ty’s picking it up at the right time,” Stammen stated. “Obviously we saw the replay. From that angle, it made it look like it was a foul ball.”
Miller has 10 saves and 28 strikeouts in simply 14⅓ innings this season. He has allowed simply 4 runs in 37⅔ innings since he was traded to San Diego final season.
“The beauty of it is you get to start another one,” Miller stated of the streak. “Kind of reflecting — I guess now is a little too soon — but probably tonight and tomorrow, reflect on it and come in tomorrow ready to start a new one.”
