The NLDS between the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres played a thrilling Game 1 on Saturday night, and they followed that up with an instant classic in Game 2 that came down to stars Jackson Chousio vs. Mason Miller.
The Padres were primed to tie the series with their flame-throwing closer on the mound, but Chourio and the scrappy Brewers didn't go down without a fight. Milwaukee made Miller work in the final frame, allowing Chourio to become the hero with a walk-off winner.
At just 22 years-old, Chourio is already one of baseball's best stars, but he continues to add to his legendary status with clutch postseason hits. Here's how the outfielder saved the day for the Brewers.
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Brewers walk-off Padres in Game 2
The Padres entered the eighth inning up one run, so Craig Stammen went to Mason Miller to try and produce a six-out save. Miller, considered the best reliever in baseball, hadn't pitched since Wednesday but also is not used to pitching multiple innings.
Miller worked an easy eighth inning, setting down the heart of Milwaukee's order on 12 pitches, but the Padres were not able to give him any insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Miller then came out to protect the one-run lead in the bottom of the inning, but was not as effective as he was in the previous frame.
After getting Garrett Mitchell to ground out, Miller issued back-to-back walks to Christian Yelich and Sal Frelick, putting the tying and winning runs on base. Miller was then able to get Andrew Vaughn to fly out, but Gary Sanchez worked a 3-2 walk himself to load the bases.
It all came down to Jackson Chourio, the Brewers' young star, to save the game. Miller threw Chourio four-straight fastballs, getting the count to 1-2, then Chourio layed off a slider that added a ball to the count. When Miller went back to the fastball, Chourio sent it into center field for the walk-off single.
JACKSON CHOURIO IS THE WALK-OFF HERO IN GAME 2! https://t.co/mZVRRVd4Xv
— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2026Bottom of the 9th Bases loaded Two outs Down by one Jackson Chourio provided an all-time moment for Milwaukee 😤 https://t.co/ZKrjeAznLi
— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2026At just 22 years-old, Chourio is already a Brewers legend with the most playoff home runs in franchise history. This also marked the third walk-off winner in Milwaukee playoff history, as Chourio joined Nyjer Morgan and Mike Moustakas for those honors.
Jackson Chourio: 3rd walk-off hit in Brewers postseason history, joining Mike Moustakas (2018 NLDS G1) and Nyjer Morgan (2011 NLDS G5).
— nugget chef (mayor of the 209) (@jayhaykid) October 4, 2026Miller ended the season with a 1.67 ERA while having averaged over 100 MPH on his sinker and fastball during the season. He is among the toughest pitchers in the game, but Chourio was up for the challenge
