Mason Miller was throwing gas on Monday afternoon.
The Athletics closer was firing on all cylinders during the series opener against the Yankees in the Bronx when he entered the ninth and struck out three straight batters to end the game.
Miller hit 103 miles per hour on his pitch that sat Anthony Volpe and then got Juan Soto to fan on another 103 MPH pitch before the A’s closer was able to get Aaron Judge to go down on a big hack with a 102 MPH pitch to finish things off.
Miller’s four-seam fastball has become the talk of Major League Baseball as the righty has routinely hit over 100 MPH on his fastball and recorded his fifth save on Monday against the Yanks.
The 25-year-old has the eight fastest pitches in the MLB this season and, according to Sarah Langs, Miller has six of the fastest strikeout pitches by an A’s pitcher since 2008 — including three that he threw on Monday.
Miller’s fastball velocity is averaging around 100 MPH this season.
“It’s electric stuff,” A’s outfielder Brent Rooker told The Athletic recently. “It’s overpowering.”
In his previous appearance last week, Miller hit 102.2 for his fastest pitch that day against the Cardinals.
Miller had previously been used as a starter by the Athletics last season and started six games with an 0-3 record and 3.78 EA before injury issues led them to move him to the bullpen.
The win on Monday was the Athletics’ ninth of the season and keeps them with a better record than the Astros, who sit in last in the American League West.
Miller’s success comes amid the the A’s final season in the Bay Area with the ball club eventually relocating to Las Vegas after a stay in Sacramento scheduled until their new stadium is built in Sin City.