Padres closer Mason Miller suffers first loss in San Diego to Dodgers

The San Diego Padres suffered a crushing 5-4 loss vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night at Petco Park, and the defeat immediately shifted the National League West standings. The dramatic finish also snapped San Diego’s four-game winning streak during an increasingly intense division race.

The Padres entered Tuesday night looking to build on the momentum from Monday’s 1-0 victory in the series opener at Petco Park. However, Los Angeles completely shifted the tone of the matchup during a chaotic ninth inning, dropping San Diego behind the Dodgers in the NL West standings entering Wednesday’s finale.

Mason Miller had not taken a loss since May 17, 2025, when he still pitched for the A’s. However, the Dodgers finally broke through against one of baseball’s most dominant closers after a series of defensive mistakes and timely situational hitting changed the outcome late in the game.

Dodgers On SI’s Noah Camras shared the historical context Tuesday night on his official X, formerly Twitter, account while emphasizing the significance of L.A. reclaiming first place.

“Mason Miller’s last loss was May 17, 2025. He was still a member of the Athletics.

One year and two days later, the Dodgers find a way to get a run against Miller and steal a win from the Padres.

The Dodgers are back atop the NL West ahead of Wednesday’s series finale.”

Mason Miller's last loss was May 17, 2025. He was still a member of the Athletics.

One year and two days later, the Dodgers find a way to get a run against Miller and steal a win from the Padres.

The Dodgers are back atop the NL West ahead of Wednesday's series finale. pic.twitter.com/l7hpLXqbGU

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) May 20, 2026

Meanwhile, Talkin’ Baseball later shared the pivotal defensive mistake that helped the Dodgers manufacture the deciding run during the ninth inning.

“Mason Miller threw the ball away on a pickoff to allow Alex Call to advance to third.

Call then scored the go-ahead run on a sac fly to give the Dodgers a ninth inning lead.”

Mason Miller threw the ball away on a pickoff to allow Alex Call to advance to third

Call then scored the go-ahead run on a sac fly to give the Dodgers a ninth inning lead pic.twitter.com/Z0WWz8XkeV

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 20, 2026

Alex Call later scored on Andy Pages’ sacrifice fly after Miller’s errant throw sailed past first base. The Dodgers closed the game out moments later, moving back atop the division while handing the Padres one of their toughest losses of the 2026 season.

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