Miller's Homecoming: Triple-Digit Heat in Pittsburgh

0:00On April 9th, Mason Miller is owning the closer role like nobody else right now, with the scoreless streak hitting 26 and 2-thirds innings, closing in on the Padres franchise record. On Wednesday, he took the mound at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, striking out nine straight hitters before that to tie a near-record streak since 19. 61. Earlier this week, the Padres beat the pirates 8-2, snapping Miller's strikeout run at 11 with a ground out. Still, he spanned 13 of 18 batters this season, allowing just one hit, and his fastball touches triple digits regularly. Growing up near Pittsburgh, Miller went undrafted out of high school and battled at college, weighing just 150 pounds at 6-foot-5. A Type 1 diabetes diagnosis changed everything. He boked up, cranked his fastball from 88 to the high 90s, transferred schools, got drafted the third round by the A's, then traded to San Diego in a blockbuster deal. Family filled the stands for his first big lead pitch there, a spot-heed-watched pirates

1:03games, and even high school ball. Manager Craig Stamman sent him out in the ninth, despite no save needed, citing the homecoming and a tax bullpen. Miller dazzled with triple digit heat and nasty sliders, fanning two pirates before closing the door. That moment on his home turf, soaking in the cheers, caps a wild journey from long shot to the major lockdown guy, MLB News Today, powered by AI bringing you what matters on the diamond.