Miller's run of dominance continues as Friars outlast Angels for series win

TL;DR

Mason Miller secured his eighth save of the season, leading the Padres to their fifth consecutive series win against the Angels. He achieved a remarkable 71.1% strikeout rate, the highest for a pitcher in their first 11 appearances since 1900.

Key points

Mason Miller secured his eighth save of the season
Padres achieved their fifth consecutive series victory
Miller has a 71.1% strikeout rate
Highest strikeout rate for a pitcher in first 11 appearances since 1900

San Diego PadresLos Angeles AngelsMason MillerBryce Teodosio

Apr 19, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Bryce Teodosio (22) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe (14) during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

ANAHEIM -- Another three up, another three down. Mason Miller, the sport's most dominant reliever, secured his eighth save of the campaign after a 1-2-3 ninth inning to give the Padres their fifth consecutive series victory Sunday against the Angels.

The closer picked up two strikeouts in his outing, now having punched out 27 of 38 hitters faced -- a staggering 71.1% strikeout clip, the highest by a pitcher in his first 11 appearances of a season since at least 1900.

He's also coming up on some club history of his own.

Miller extended his scoreless streak to an eye-popping 32 2/3 innings, moving him within one shy of Cla Meredith's franchise record 33 2/3 scoreless innings, set in 2006.

This was the vision when Padres GM A.J. Preller acquired the flame-throwing righty at last year's trade deadline. Just do enough offensively to hand Miller the ball for the contests' final three outs.

The Padres offense did just that.

Xander Bogaerts' RBI single in the fourth and Bryce Johnson's run-scoring knock in the seventh were all the Friars needed to down the Halos for a second straight day.