Robert Gasser pitched seven shutout innings as the first of three Milwaukee Brewers pitchers in a 1-0 victory against the host Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby, who worked the ninth for his third save, finished the combined four-hitter. It marked the second shutout for Milwaukee pitchers in an eight-game stretch, needing only four strikeouts for the latest accomplishment.
The Brewers (97-58) won for the ninth time in 11 games. They scored on Gary Sanchez’s second-inning groundout to knock in Joey Ortiz, who tripled with one out.
Milwaukee, which won a night earlier in 10 innings, was limited to three hits and one walk and yet it maintained its hold on the best record in the National League. Ortiz had the Brewers’ only extra-base hit.
Baltimore (75-80) has lost the first two games of the series following a three-game winning streak, further damaging its quest to rise into playoff position in the American League.
Gasser (5-5), a left-hander, gave up three hits and three walks while striking out two in the second-longest outing of his big-league career.
Orioles starter Trevor Rogers (10-11) lasted eight innings, allowing the one run and three hits. He struck out 10 and walked one. Alex Hoppe pitched a shutout inning in relief.
Gunnar Henderson and Rece Hinds had doubles for Baltimore.
The Orioles stranded six runners. They had a chance in the eighth after Leody Taveras’ lead-off single. He went to second base on Jeremiah Jackson’s groundout before Uribe retired Pete Alonso on an outfield lineout followed by a strikeout of Coby Mayo.
Baltimore was a shutout victim for the third time this month.
