Zach Davies salvages series with pitching gem in final game, Brewers win 3-1

WP: Zach Davies (3-3) | LP: Jaime Garcia (4-5) | SV: Jeremy Jeffress (13)

HR: Martin Maldonado (1), Brandon Moss (10)

Box Score

With Matt Garza on schedule to come back in a few weeks, Zach Davies' spot in the Brewers rotation could be on the line. Today, he made his case for why he should remain in the rotation.

Facing the Cardinals today, Davies tossed what was arguably the best game by a starting pitcher this season. He pitched eight shutout innings, allowing a total of just three hits while striking out nine. His Game Score of 85 is the highest by a Brewers starter this season. The previous high mark was by Chase Anderson against the Cubs on May 17, where he recorded a Game Score of 75 and took a no-hitter into the eighth inning.

Meanwhile, the Brewers offense did enough to back up Davies today. The first four batters reached base (Jonathan Villar walk, Hernan Perez single, Ryan Braun single, Chris Carter infield single) to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead. Jaime Garcia got into a groove after that, loading the bases in the third but allowing nothing else. However, Garcia came out of the game in the sixth inning, and the Brewers got another run on a solo home run by Martin Maldonado off of reliever Matt Bowman.

The Brewers needed that start from Davies to save a bullpen that had been overused recently. Only Jeremy Jeffress was used today. He allowed a leadoff home run to pinch-hitter Brandon Moss, but retired the next three batters to get the Brewers the win. It was also the second shortest game of the season at 2 hours and 20 minutes, with the shortest being Anderson's no hit bid on May 17 (2 hours and 10 minutes).

The Brewers now head out on a short four-game road trip to Philadelphia. Chase Anderson will pitch in the opener for the Brewers against Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff. First pitch is at 6:05 pm.