Brewers rookie Gasser limits Rays to one hit in World Series win
The 27-year-old left-hander pitched six scoreless innings to help Milwaukee secure a 10-1 victory over Tampa Bay on Monday.
By Rafael Bailey ·
Robert Gasser entered the mound at Tropicana Field on Monday night with a simple task: keep the Tampa Bay Rays off the scoreboard. The 27-year-old Milwaukee Brewers left-hander delivered, pitching six dominant innings that moved the Brewers within one win of their first championship since 1982.
Gasser allowed only one hit and one walk while striking out three batters. His performance marked the first time a left-handed starter has faced the minimum over six innings in a World Series game since Sandy Koufax in 1965. The last any starter, regardless of handedness, to achieve that feat was Curt Schilling in 2001.
The game began with a brief stumble. Yandy Diaz singled to lead off the first inning, but Gasser erased the threat when Chandler Simpson recorded a fielder’s choice. Contreras then threw Simpson out attempting to steal second base. From that point, Gasser retired 12 consecutive batters before issuing a leadoff walk to Victor Mesa Jr. in the sixth inning. Nick Fortes and Taylor Walls grounded out to end the frame.
The rookie, nicknamed Bobby Diesel, started the season in Triple-A Nashville. He joined Milwaukee in a trade involving All-Star closer Josh Hader in 2022. After Tommy John surgery in 2024, Gasser struggled to regain his form until late in the 2026 regular season, when he posted a 1.67 ERA in his final six appearances.
Gasser credited his composure to a personal philosophy. “It’s a special opportunity that we all have to be here,” Gasser said. “To be nervous or scared would only be cheating myself and my teammates.” He noted that his mechanics and velocity have remained consistent for years, and that belief is the primary variable in his success.
Teammates described a pitcher who remains calm under pressure. Second baseman Brice Turang, who hit three times and drove in two runs, said Gasser is “very chill” and drives slowly. Captain Christian Yelich praised Gasser’s steady heartbeat, noting that the moment is never too big for him. The Brewers have now won four straight road postseason games, three of which featured Gasser on the mound. This streak ends a 12-game losing skid on the road in the postseason that had matched a major league record set by the Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins.
