Rueter Gets Job Done for Giants

With Shawn Estes and Orel Hershiser winless, Kirk Rueter has emerged as the San Francisco Giants’ most consistent starter.

Rueter combined with John Johnstone and Robb Nen on a three-hitter Saturday, leading the Giants over Milwaukee, 2-1, for their first win in five games against the Brewers this season.

It also stopped San Francisco’s three-game losing streak.

“We just needed a win. It didn’t matter who it was against,” Rueter said.

Rueter (3-1) is 2-0 with a 0.47 earned-run average in his last three starts, giving up one earned run in 19 innings.

“He’s probably the best of all our guys right now,” catcher Brian Johnson said. “He’s done real well.”

Rueter gave up all three hits and an unearned run in 6 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking one. Johnstone and Nen followed, with Nen throwing a perfect ninth for his third save in three chances.

Marvin Benard and Bill Mueller drove in fifth-inning runs against Paul Wagner (1-2).

“That was picture perfect. We got some clutch hits,” Giant Manager Dusty Baker said. “It’s about time that we beat these Brewers.”

Rueter didn’t give up a hit until Jose Valentin’s single in the fifth and didn’t allow a runner past first base until the seventh, when Jeromy Burnitz singled and Marquis Grissom’s two-out single to right was mishandled by Benard, allowing the run to score.

Grissom reached third on the error, but pinch-hitter Geoff Jenkins hit an inning-ending grounder against Johnstone.

“He kept the game going on his terms,” Milwaukee’s Mike Matheny said of Rueter. “He moved the ball in and out, and he keeps you uncomfortable. He throws smart--those are the guys that stick around a while.”

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Next Series For Dodgers

Who: Milwaukee Brewers

Where: Dodger Stadium

When: Monday, 7 p.m. and Tuesday, 7 p.m.