Dinged but dominant: Padres' Mason Miller proving human, facing more patient opponents

Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Andy Pages took on the often unhittable Mason Miller and got the best of the San Diego Padres closer.

Shocked?

Nine pitches into the duel Tuesday night, Pages connected on a 101-mph four-seam fastball and delivered what proved to be the game-winning run as the Dodgers claimed a 5-4 win at Petco Park. More importantly, perhaps, Pages helped prove Miller is human.

While his franchise-record scoreless innings streak ended after 34.2 innings when he yielded two runs on three hits to the Chicago Cubs on April 27, Miller rebounded to work 8.1 consecutive innings without yielding an earned run.

But he has been dinged.

Pages executed what teammate Freddie Freeman described as "one of the best at-bats I've ever seen," driving in the game-clinching run Tuesday night. In a contest between the top two NL West squads, Pages helped prove Miller's pitches aren't always untouchable.

Padres' Mason Miller dinged, still dominant

When Miller surrendered the crooked number of runs against the Cubs, his earned run average spiked to 1.26. Entering Friday's matchup against the visiting Athletics, Miller recorded a 0.79 ERA and ranked second in the league with 15 saves. In 22.2 innings, Mason struck out 45 batters, compiling a 17.9 strikeouts-per-inning percentage and a 1.3 WAR.

Freeman, a 17-year veteran who hit two home runs earlier Tuesday, delivered the sentiment to Pages because he's experienced Miller's triple-digit fastball and spinning slider.

Are batters beginning to adapt different game plans against Miller? Opponents appear to be becoming more conservative with their swings over the past two weeks.

After walking just two batters during his opening 14 outings, Miller issued seven walks over the previous eight. 

Miller may have seemed unhittable, at times, over the past two seasons, but by remaining patient, perhaps opponents can make Miller seem more human.