Why Brewers manager Pat Murphy yanked his starter mid-at-bat
Brewers manager Pat Murphy pulled starter Robert Gasser mid-at-bat against Randy Arozarena on Aug. 20 because Gasser's control had unraveled—five free bases in 11 outs, including leadoff walks—and Murphy wanted to protect a slim lead before Seattle rallied. Murphy later admitted he was "a little too emotional" but stood by the move.
Pat Murphy's rare mid-at-bat hook made headlines during Milwaukee's 7-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners at American Family Field, and it underscored how quickly a six-run cushion can evaporate when a starter loses the strike zone. For more breaking sports drama, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Key Takeaways
- Murphy yanked Gasser two pitches into Arozarena's fourth-inning at-bat during a 7-4 Brewers win on Aug. 20.
- Gasser allowed four runs, four hits, and four walks in 3⅔ innings despite Milwaukee scoring six in the first.
- It was Murphy's second mid-at-bat starter removal in less than three weeks after pulling Brandon Sproat on Aug. 3.
- Chad Patrick, Aaron Ashby, and Trevor Megill combined for scoreless relief; the bullpen logged 16⅓ scoreless innings in the series.
- Gasser's rotation spot is uncertain with Logan Henderson, Dustin May, and Shane Drohan ahead of him.
What happened during the Mariners game?
Robert Gasser walked Brendan Donovan to open the game, then stranded two baserunners after a single. The Brewers answered with a six-run first inning against George Kirby, but Gasser could not build on the gift.
He walked Taylor Ward to start the second, allowed a single to Brock Rodden, and watched Donovan double home a run. After a 1-2-3 third, Gasser walked Cole Young to begin the fourth. Jhonny Pereda singled, and though Gasser recorded two outs, a passed ball on a changeup to Arozarena scored another run.
One more ball to Arozarena was enough. Murphy strolled from the dugout and replaced Gasser with Chad Patrick before the at-bat ended. Dominic Canzone's single scored Pereda and cut Milwaukee's lead to 6-4 with plenty of game left.
Why did Pat Murphy pull Gasser mid-at-bat?
Murphy told reporters he wanted Gasser out because the left-hander had given up five free bases in 11 outs and looked poised for another walk. "I was kind of hot. I was a little too emotional right there," Murphy said, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The manager framed the decision around winning: "You lose that game, it changes a lot." Gasser agreed he failed to protect the bullpen, calling it "unfortunate" that he could not go deeper. He pointed to direction issues—pulling off the ball—and trouble locating his sinker against left-handed hitters.
Has Pat Murphy pulled a starter mid-at-bat before?
Yes. Gasser's hook marked the second time in less than three weeks that Murphy ended a starter's outing during an active at-bat. On Aug. 3, Murphy pulled Brandon Sproat mid-at-bat in a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates; Sproat was demoted to Triple-A Nashville afterward.
Patrick, Ashby, and Megill shut down Seattle from that point. Patrick earned the win, and Megill converted his 15th consecutive save. The bullpen's 16⅓ scoreless innings across the three-game series became a defining storyline alongside the offense's early explosions.
What does this mean for Robert Gasser's future?
Through 15 starts, Gasser is 3-5 with a 4.79 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. His 13 home runs allowed rank second on the team despite far fewer innings than top rotation arms Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison. With Henderson and May ahead of him and Drohan showing promise, Gasser's path as a starter this season looks narrow.
Murphy's roster moves extend beyond the mound. The manager is also managing Sal Frelick's return from a shoulder strain, sending him on a rehab assignment to ensure two consecutive strong throwing days before activation. As roster spots tighten—with Jonathan Ornelas the likely cut when Frelick returns—Murphy's willingness to act decisively on the field mirrors his broader approach to keeping Milwaukee competitive.