Gasser Throws Six Perfect Innings in Series Opener

Robert Gasser retired the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the sixth inning on Monday night, securing a 10-1 victory for the Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of the World Series. The 27-year-old left-hander faced the minimum number of batters over six scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out three. This performance places the Brewers one win away from their first championship since 2011.

Gasser’s outing marks a rare statistical achievement in modern baseball. He is the first starting pitcher to face the minimum over six innings in a World Series game since Curt Schilling did so for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 7 of the 2001 series. He is also the first left-handed starter to accomplish this feat since Sandy Koufax pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1965 World Series. The previous Brewers starter to record an out in the sixth inning of this postseason had not done so until Gasser entered the mound.

The game began with Gasser allowing a single to Yandy Diaz. However, the threat ended quickly when Diaz was erased on a fielder’s choice by Chandler Simpson. Catcher William Contreras then threw out Simpson as he attempted to steal second base. From that point, Gasser retired the next 12 batters in order until issuing a leadoff walk to Victor Mesa Jr. in the sixth inning. Nick Fortes grounded into a double play, and Taylor Walls grounded out to second base on Gasser’s final pitch.

Gasser started the 2026 season in Triple-A Nashville before earning a starting role. He joined Milwaukee in 2022 as part of a trade for closer Josh Hader, a deal that was initially criticized. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, he struggled to regain his previous form until late in the current season. He finished the regular season with a 1.67 earned run average in his final six appearances.

Brice Turang, who hit three times and drove in two runs, described Gasser’s demeanor as remarkably calm. “He’s very chill,” Turang said. “He drives chill, too. He’s really slow at driving. Everything about him is just chill.” Gasser acknowledged the pressure of the moment but remained focused on his preparation. “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.”

The Brewers have won four consecutive road postseason games, with Gasser starting three of those victories. This streak ends a 12-game losing skid in postseason road games that stretched from 2018 to 2026, a tie for the longest in major league history. Captain Christian Yelich praised Gasser’s consistency, noting that the pitcher maintains a steady heartbeat regardless of the stakes. “He’s been great for us all year, all postseason,” Yelich said. “The moment’s never too big for him, and you know when he goes out there, you’re gonna have a great chance to win the game.”