The Milwaukee Brewers need one more victory to secure a second consecutive trip to the series that determines the National League pennant after stunning the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Sunday.

Milwaukee entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing by one run and facing Mason Miller, MLB’s best closer during the 2026 season. The Brewers refused to surrender against one of the most dominant relievers this year. 

Miller finished the regular season with a 1.67 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 70 innings over 66 appearances, recording 129 strikeouts and 38 saves.

The Brewers remained patient as Miller struggled with his command, drawing three walks to load the bases.

Miller recorded two outs, creating a decisive confrontation with Brewers star Jackson Chourio. The bases remained loaded, and Milwaukee was one out away from losing.

The Padres closer moved Chourio to his final strike. On a 2-2 pitch, however, Chourio drove a 101.3 mph fastball directly up the middle and toward center fielder Jackson Merrill, bringing home two runs and completing the comeback.

Milwaukee again demonstrated its resilience and talent. Even a reliever as overpowering as Miller proved vulnerable when the Brewers remained disciplined and forced him to throw strikes.

Trevor Megill earned the victory after retiring the Padres in order during the top of the ninth.

Megill explained after the game that the outcome is never settled until the last out during the postseason. He credited his teammates for completing the comeback.

“It’s never over ‘til it is. It’s playoffs. I mean, any of those s**t can happen any time,” Megill said according to Wisconsin Sports Radio Network.

“Tip the cap to the boys.”

Megill has pitched 2.1 scoreless innings over two appearances in the series, recording two strikeouts with a win and a save.

Chourio will receive considerable recognition for his walk-off heroics, but Milwaukee’s victory required contributions throughout the team.

Aaron Ashby kept San Diego scoreless during the top of the eighth. Megill followed with another scoreless inning in the ninth.

Without their work, the Brewers might have faced a much larger deficit during their last opportunity at the plate.

Milwaukee did not win 103 regular season games by accident. The same determination that carried the Brewers throughout the year has placed them one victory away from advancing.

Megill displayed the composure required to handle an important postseason moment. He attacked the Padres without allowing the pressure surrounding the game to disrupt his execution or confidence.

Megill also understood that keeping the deficit at one run gave Milwaukee’s lineup a realistic opportunity to respond. His ability to deliver a clean inning created the conditions for the Brewers’ comeback in the bottom of the ninth.

His postgame comments reflected the mentality that defines Milwaukee. Megill believed the game remained within reach until the last out, and his performance showed that conviction before Chourio delivered the winning hit.

Megill did not produce the defining swing, but his work was essential to the outcome. He gave the Brewers exactly what they needed, trusted his teammates to respond and summarized the resilience behind their dramatic victory.