A’s flamethrower Mason Miller does it again, closes out Yankees
Apr 26, 2024, 7:57 AM | Updated: 7:58 am
(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Mason Miller did it again.
Three days removed from an electric closing performance against the New York Yankees on Monday afternoon, the hard-throwing right-hander delivered for the Oakland Athletics to finish a 3-1 win on Thursday night.
Miller, who struck out MVP candidate Juan Soto on a 103-miles-per-hour fastball on Monday, sat the star outfielder down on three straight pitches during the ninth inning of Thursday’s action at Yankee Stadium.
For the second time during the four-game series, Miller secured the save–this time, a four-out save that included three strikeouts and just one hit.
Mason Miller going Medieval on Juan Soto. 🥴
3 Pitch K: 87mph Slider, 101mph and 102mph ⛽️
Overlay of Slider & 102mph FB at the end. pic.twitter.com/wT37jeVxSL
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 26, 2024
“It got a little loud, so the adrenaline started pumping a little bit,” Miller said of his late-game appearance at Yankee Stadium. “But I quickly quieted it down with a strikeout.”
The 97th selection from the 2021 MLB Draft has been electric over seven relief appearances this season, pitching to a 1.59 ERA while striking out an incredible 23 batters over 11.1 innings pitched (18.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched). Miller has been a lock-down closer, securing all six of his chances thus far.
“Obviously a pretty special fastball, and he’s got a feel for the slider,’’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Miller following Thursday’s game.
Boone is right about Miller’s fastball. The 25-year-old’s four-seam fastball averages 100.7 miles per hour, the top fastball in Major League Baseball.
Miller is becoming must-watch TV for baseball fans, and the closer is turning heads around the league as an up-and-coming flamethrower.
Upcoming schedule for Mason Miller & the Oakland Athletics
- Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28th – @ Baltimore Orioles
- Monday, April 29-Wednesday, May 1st – vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Friday, May 3rd-Sunday, May 5th – vs. Miami Marlins
- Monday, May 6th-Wednesday, May 8th – vs. Texas Rangers
- Friday, May 10th-Sunday, May 12th – @ Seattle Mariners
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