Brewers win, remain 1 back of Cubs

HOUSTON -- Most of the Milwaukee Brewers kept an eye on the scoreboard in left field during Monday's game in Houston, eager to see what the Cubs were doing against Cincinnati.

Yovani Gallardo never looked. He was too busy focusing on another dominant performance.

The 21-year-old rookie baffled Houston for the second time in two weeks and Corey Hart hit a 2-run double, leading the Brewers to a 6-0 victory over the Astros.

"I didn't even look at it once," Gallardo said. "I had other things to take care of. I've got to take care of business and see what happens after that."

Minutes after the game ended, the Brewers huddled around a television in the clubhouse and watched the Cubs beat the Reds to maintain their 1-game lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central.

"Playing for something this year is a lot better than trying to play the spoiler, like we were the last couple of years," Hart said. "It's definitely gratifying to be here."

Pitching in front of about a dozen family members, Gallardo (9-4) allowed 7 hits and struck out five in a season-high 8 innings to win his fourth consecutive start. He hasn't allowed a run in 21 innings, a streak that began when he threw 7 shutout innings against the Astros in Milwaukee's 14-2 victory on Sept. 5.

The Brewers purchased Gallardo's contract from Triple-A Nashville on June 14 to replace the injured Chris Capuano. He's been so good manager Ned Yost doesn't even consider him a rookie.

"We're past the 'surprise' stage," Yost said. "We're into the 'real-confident-every-time-he-steps-on-the-mound' phase."

Prince Fielder singled to extend his hitting streak to 15 games, and Kevin Mench homered in the ninth off Mark McLemore for Milwaukee.