Leading 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning, there was no question as to who the Oakland Athletics would bring in to shut out the Colorado Rockies.
Right-hander Mason Miller has been baseball’s hottest reliever all season, and he continued that streak Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The 25-year-old rising star struck out all three batters he faced, earning his ninth save of the year and giving the Athletics their 20th win of the season.
According to Martín Gallegos of MLB.com, Miller became the first reliever in MLB since 1901 to record 15 consecutive shutout games, at least 40 strikeouts, and fewer than five walks.
From the MLB Research Team: Mason Miller is the first relief pitcher since 1901 to pitch 15 consecutive games without allowing a run, striking out 40 or more batters and walking fewer than five batters.
pic.twitter.com/RBBQ9ACovu
— Martin Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) May 22, 2024
Miller has appeared in 16 games this season, posting a 0.89 ERA, 0.590 WHIP, and 1.4 WAR. He already has 41 strikeouts in just 20.1 innings and is a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities.
Since making a shaky season debut against the Cleveland Guardians on March 30, Miller has pitched 19.1 scoreless innings. He has allowed only four hits and four walks over this period, resulting in a WHIP of .414.
The Athletics are currently 12-4 when Miller is on the mound, but 8-26 when he is not.
Oakland selected the right-hander in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He ultimately became the organization’s top pitching prospect and showed flashes in his major league debut in 2023, but his elbow injury caused the Athletics to reconsider how they use Miller in the short term. Ta.
Moving Miller to the bullpen seems to have worked, and to an extent, as no other reliever in league history has had a hot start to 2024.
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