MLB – Miller has produced another masterclass and is now closing in on his franchise’s all-time record.

Mason Miller is in “Game Over” mode as the Padres close in on the Dodgers

When the Padres reach the late innings with a lead and Mason Miller climbs the mound, Fernando Tatis Jr. sums it up perfectly: “Game over.” And he is not far off. On Sunday afternoon, Miller shut the door again in a tense 2-1 win over the Angels, stretching his scoreless streak to 32 and two-thirds innings. He is now just one inning shy of the franchise record held by Cla Meredith (33.2 IP in 2006).

For manager Craig Stammen, what stands out most is not just the velocity, but the frightening consistency of his closer. “It is almost impossible to be that elite every time out,” he said. Miller, for his part, is staying level-headed: “Success can be a dangerous place where you get comfortable. I am still focused on getting better.”

Stats so absurd they are almost silly

Better? Hard to see how. Miller is not just avoiding runs, he is barely letting anyone reach base. Of the 38 batters he has faced this season, only four have managed to get on — two walks and two singles.

The jaw-dropping number is his strikeout rate: 27 Ks against 38 batters, a ludicrous 71.1 percent. That is the highest percentage for any pitcher through his first 11 appearances in a season since at least 1900. On Sunday, he struck out two of the three batters he faced… and his rate still dropped. His fastball flirting with 100 mph and his filthy slider — the one that had Vaughn Grissom buckling at the knees — make him a wrecking ball with a glove.

Korn’s “Blind” and the Petco Park entrance that gets the place shaking

Beyond the numbers, Miller has also won over fans with his dramatic entrance to the strains of Korn’s “Blind.” For the record, he did not even pick the song himself; that was the Padres’ clubhouse staff. It has the approval of the crowd and even Korn themselves. But once the first notes hit, Miller switches off the theatre: he has a job to finish.

The win over the Angels, built on RBI singles from Xander Bogaerts and Bryce Johnson plus five scoreless innings from Michael King, pulled San Diego to within half a game of the Dodgers at the top of the National League West. With a bullpen this deep — Morejon, Adam, rookie Bradgley Rodriguez — if the Padres are ahead late, the other side is in real trouble.

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