Padres dismiss Mason Miller pitch-tipping speculation, prepare to face Brewers with season on line

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Although the San Diego Padres have plenty of concerns in the face of playoff elimination, they don't believe Mason Miller tipping his pitches is one of them.

Padres manager Craig Stammen dismissed the widespread online speculation after Game 2 of the NL Division Series that the Milwaukee Brewers could tell what was coming from San Diego's vaunted closer when they rallied for two runs and a 4-3 victory in the ninth inning.

“We’ve got a crew of people that are dedicated to that every single day,” Stammen said Monday at Petco Park. “That is their sole job. We’re well aware of what’s going on with our pitchers, well aware of what’s going on with the Brewers pitchers and how they do things. It’s part of our daily (regimen). The internet can go crazy and take things farther than they need to go. We feel good about our process within that situation.”

But the Padres are still smarting from Miller's blown save, which put them in an 0-2 series hole.

The All-Star closer threw only 21 of his 40 pitches for strikes over his two innings. The disciplined Brewers repeatedly laid off his sliders and errant fastballs while stringing together three walks in the ninth, followed by Jackson Chourio's two-out, two-strike, two-run single that won the game.

While Stammen didn't flat-out confirm the Padres are sure Miller wasn't tipping pitches, the manager downplayed the importance of the whole discussion.

“We’ve got a lot of guys on top of it, and we’re not really worried about it,” he said.

Even while facing a possible quick end to their 91-win season, the Padres can take confidence from the fact they were one strike away from splitting the first two games with the majors' best regular-season team.

Heck, many fans believe they were one strike and one roof cable away from claiming two wins in Milwaukee.

Instead, the Padres are on the brink of winter as they welcome the Brewers to Petco, where San Diego was largely outstanding all season. Game 3 is Tuesday night.

“It’s not an easy job,” Padres slugger Manny Machado said. “It’s a tough road. You’ve got to deal with a lot of adversity. Here we are once again with our backs against the wall. We’ve overcome it once, and we can do it again — and we’re going to do it again.”

Nick Pivetta takes the mound for the Padres in their must-win game, and the veteran right-hander is grateful to be in this situation after he missed nearly five months of the regular season with a right elbow injury. San Diego's opening-day starter didn't pitch in the majors between April 12 and Sept. 7 while working his way back.

Pivetta believes the Padres have a roster capable of pulling off a comeback that's been managed by only 10 of the 93 MLB teams to fall behind 0-2 in a best-of-five series.

“We have a bunch of professionals in this room, a lot of really great players who have played in amazing games, who have World Series rings, that you can rely on in these moments,” said Pivetta, who pitched one-run ball into the fourth inning of their Wild Card Series-clinching win over the Cubs last week. “Just coming together as a group is what I look forward to, and seeing us succeed as a group is going to be very special.”

Dustin May starts Game 3 for Milwaukee, and the Padres' veterans know him better than most starters thanks to his several years with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

San Diego has faced May in 16 previous appearances since 2019. May faced the Padres three previous times this season, even throwing a one-hitter against San Diego for the Cardinals in June.

“We’ve had some history with May, but we’ve got to stick to our strengths, stick to what we’ve been doing,” Machado said. “Ultimately it’s about getting that big hit in those big moments, and if we can, we’ll be all right.”

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. makes a sliding catch on a ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio during the fourth inning of Game 2 of a National League Divisional baseball playoff series Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio is douced by Garrett Mitchell and William Contreras after hitting a walkoff hit during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a National League Divisional baseball playoff series against the San Diego Padres Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio hits a walkoff hit off San Diego Padres' Mason Miller during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a National League Divisional baseball playoff series Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

San Diego Padres' Mason Miller reacts during the ninth inning of Game 2 of a National League Divisional baseball playoff series against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have lost the turnover battle in each of the past two weeks, yet they have evened their record at 2-2.

If Indy wants to end its five-year playoff drought, it can't keep giving the ball away.

Taking better care of the ball has to start with quarterback Daniel Jones, who has four interceptions and three lost fumbles. Only New England's Drake Maye (nine) has more turnovers among QBs this season.

Jones threw a pick and lost a fumble in Sunday's 30-13 victory over Washington in London.

“I just met with him,” coach Shane Steichen said Monday. “We watched the game together, had conversations on those things and, like I said, I've got a lot of confidence in his ability moving forward. ... It's one of those things. When the play's over, it's over, right? We don't need to make something happen there if nothing's open in those situations.”

There are plenty of explanations for the Colts' five giveaways and minus-4 turnover margin over the last two games.

Jones has had trouble protecting the ball in the past. He threw 22 interceptions and lost 17 fumbles in his first two seasons with the New York Giants, when he was 8-18 as the starter.

He committed only eight turnovers when he took the Giants to the 2022 playoffs and had only three when the Colts started 7-1 last season.

That’s typically how it works — fewer turnovers, more wins.

Jonss also has been playing without injured receiver Alec Pierce since Week 2, missed reliable backup Ashton Dulin in Weeks 2 and 3 and played without six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen on Sunday. Recently signed Darius Slayton, who played with Jones in New York, hasn't seen the field.

Jones knows the ultimate responsibility for avoiding turnovers lies with him.

“You've got to understand when to take a chance, when not to, when to protect the ball, when you have a chance to make a play,” Jones said Sunday. “I think all that is something you’re always studying and learning, and I've definitely got to do a better job taking care of the ball.”

Run blocking. Through Sunday's games, Jonathan Taylor ranked fourth in the league in yards rushing with 353 and was third in rushing touchdowns with six. While he doesn't have a 100-yard game this season, he has three 90-yard games and three games with two TD runs.

Pass blocking. Jones is only part of the equation when it comes to turnovers. Most have happened when Jones was trying to avoid pressure, sometimes under heavy duress. On the second snap Sunday, left tackle Benhard Raimann was driven backward into Jones' path just as he was about to throw. The ensuing collision jarred the ball loose and Washington recovered.

WR Laquon Treadwell. Jones is finding Treadwell in key moments. A week ago, they hooked up on a completion that set up Indy's winning field goal. On Sunday, they did it twice — a 9-yard completion to set up a field goal at the end of the half and an 11-yard pass that set up Taylor's first TD run.

CB Sauce Gardner. It was not a good day for the two-time All-Pro. He gave up two long catches and drew a penalty on third down to extend a Commanders drive. That's not what the Colts expect from a player who cost them two first-round draft picks in a trade with the Jets last year.

Steichen said Monday that DE Arden Key will miss “some time” with a hamstring injury. Dulin also injured a hamstring Sunday, and LB Jaylon Carlies suffered a rib injury.

75 — Taylor rushed for his 75th career touchdown in his 88th game, tying him for the fifth-fastest to No. 75 in league history.

6 — Taylor also has a league-record six TD runs in international games.

The Colts visit the Steelers on Sunday. Indy has lost six straight at Pittsburgh, last winning there in 2008.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) gets past Washington Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson (2) to score a touchdown during an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) passes the ball during an NFL football game against Washington Commanders in London, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)