Padres Lose Mason Miller Just Before Must-Win NLDS Game 3

The San Diego Padres will be without one of their biggest weapons with their season on the line.

All-Star closer Mason Miller was placed on the postseason paternity list shortly before Tuesday night's NLDS Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The move leaves the Padres without their closer as they try to avoid elimination after dropping the first two games of the best-of-five series in Milwaukee.

Left-hander Wandy Peralta was added to the NLDS roster to replace Miller.

The timing couldn't be much more dramatic for San Diego.

The Padres entered Tuesday night facing elimination with Nick Pivetta on the mound after losing the first two games of the series by one run apiece.

Miller had been at the center of the devastating Game 2 loss.

San Diego handed the right-hander a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning and asked him to record a six-out save. Miller worked a scoreless eighth but ran into trouble in the ninth.

He issued three walks before Jackson Chourio delivered a two-out, two-run single that gave Milwaukee a 4-3 walk-off victory and a 2-0 series lead.

Miller's outing generated questions about whether he was tipping his pitches, although Miller said he did not believe that was the case after reviewing video of his outing.

Now the Padres won't have the opportunity to turn back to him in Game 3.

Miller finished the regular season with 38 saves and was one of the most dominant late-inning relievers in baseball.

His absence puts additional pressure on a San Diego bullpen trying to keep the Padres' season alive.

Peralta gives manager Craig Stammen another experienced left-handed option. The veteran reliever now finds himself back on the postseason roster at perhaps the most critical point of the Padres' season.

San Diego must win Tuesday night to force Game 4 at Petco Park on Wednesday.

If the Padres extend the series, Miller's availability will depend on when he is eligible to return from the paternity list.