For Milwaukee Brewers lefty Robert Gasser, the pitcher mound proved a difficult place to be on Wednesday. 

In a 6-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Gasser’s outing was marred by a Reds batting order that jumped on him immediately. After the Brewers had taken a lead thanks to a two-run home run by Gary Sanchez, Gasser gave up a solo shot to Matt McLain in the bottom of the first to put the Reds on the board. 

The situation got worse for Gasser in the bottom of the second inning as he gave up another home run to tie the game, this time to Noelvi Marte after letting the count get to 3-0. After Cincinnati’s Ke’Bryan Hayes flied out to center field, Gasser allowed a Jose Trevino solo home run to left center field to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. 

After allowing a Matt McLain single in the bottom of the third and subsequently striking out the next two batters, Gasser’s day was done. In 2 2/3 innings, he allowed five hits, four earned runs, and three home runs while notching four strikeouts. 

After the game, Gasser took an optimistic approach while also holding himself accountable. 

“Man, I feel like I competed decently,” he told the media. “Obviously, the home runs stick out to me, but I threw all my pitches for strikes, which is great. Got the pitch count up, but yeah, I mean, it wasn't my favorite outing. 

“It's that fine line right between getting the pitches and getting the work in but also wanting those outs," Gasser said. "At the end of the day, I want good results, who doesn't want good results? But that's part of it. You just got to learn from it and try to improve for the next time.” 

Two of the home runs Gasser gave up resulted from fastballs, which he attributed to how he utilized the pitch while identifying the home run he gave up to Marte. 

“I think it's more so how it went and how I'm using it,” Gasser said. “Those pitches, I feel like they were trying to pull me today. They were trying to get the head out. 3-0, tip your cap, that's good baseball. The slider to McLean wasn't terrible, just a little up. 

“But yeah, I mean, I think it's just usage, when and where, and what side of the plate I'm throwing it to,” Gasser added. 

Gasser, 26, is entering his third major-league season with the Brewers after being traded from the San Diego Padres on Aug. 1, 2022. Last season, he went 0-2 with a 3.18 ERA in both of his starting opportunities. During the postseason, he appeared in two more games and logged a 6.75 ERA over 2 2/3 innings of work.

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!