Time For a Reset

Stardate 10.05.2026

If you happen to be a San Diego Padres fan like me, especially if you happen to be a longtime fan, the first two games against the Milwaukee Brewers are probably haunting you today.

I get it.

The difference between winning and losing sometimes comes down to the slimmest of margins.

I stood in front of our son's big-screen TV in panic mode as the Milwaukee hometown crowd went into a frenzy. Our beloved Padres had their ace closer on the mound. The bases were loaded. We were down to one more strike to close out the game.

One more strike.

We lost.

This one stings.

It was the second night in a row that a remarkable game came down to one moment.

On Saturday night, Ty France sent a towering drive toward the left-field roof with one out in the ninth inning. The ball struck a cable and came back toward the field, where Jackson Chourio made the catch. The Padres lost Game 1, 3–2.

On Sunday, the Padres carried a 3–2 lead into the ninth inning. Mason Miller, our best closer, was asked to record the final six outs. He retired the side in the eighth and got the first out of the ninth.

Then came the walks.

The bases were loaded with two outs when Jackson Chourio stepped to the plate.

Miller got ahead of him 0–2 before Chourio battled back. On a 2–2 fastball, Chourio lined a two-run single into center field.

Game over.

Brewers 4. Padres 3.

All we needed was one more strike.

I write stories about the importance of being one percent better each day. This is a prime example of what that means at the elite professional level.

These are the best teams in baseball. Every player on that field has spent years developing the skills necessary to reach this moment. The difference between advancing and going home can come down to inches, one pitch, or one swing.

The Padres have been here before.

So have their fans.

This entire season has carried moments like these. The team has found ways to keep moving forward, and the fans have stayed with them.

Now it's time for a reset.

Game 3 comes to San Diego on Tuesday. The Padres will need to win two games at home to keep the season alive and send the series back to Milwaukee.

We will be cheering from afar.

“Though I fall, I will rise.” — Micah 7:8

Join me here: https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael, the probability of a reset appears considerably higher than the probability of surrender.”

Bones: “He's right, Michael. Two losses don't mean the story is over. They mean you've got another game to watch.”

I suppose that's where I am now.

The sting is still there. So is the hope.

Tomorrow is another day.

Good luck, Padres.

May you live long and prosper.