It seems it's not the range but the gas supply that is the problem. You have to have it re-plumbed so that it is recessed into the wall.

We have our plumbers recess gas lines all the time when we update rentals guessing your house originally had a slide or drop in range and not free standing.

check your drawers and see if they still work with the range as is before you decide it is cheaper to just cover the gap

Annette, here is a photo. We are planning to get new cabinets, countertop, dishwasher and new (smaller) fridge too.

eam44, it appears that way to me. Do you happen to know the general cost and time it takes to get that done?

Kippy, we had another freestanding but I guess we just got used to the
gap and did not take it into consideration when buying a new range. Now
that we're going to get new cabinets and countertop and do a back
splash, it is something we are thinking about. Could you say what the
typical cost of doing that would be?

The cost will depend on where you are geographically, but the gas line is in the right place, you just need it recessed, so I would guess 1 hour of the plumber's time, and you'll be left with a drywall repair that you can do yourself, as it will be hidden by the range.

I pulled my range forward 3" to make it flush with my deeper counters. I made a shallow shelf to span the gap, with sides that extend below the counter top. The shelf is just deep enough for salt and pepper shakers--I doubt anyone else who has been in my kitchen even notices the difference. I painted it bisque to match my range, but you could paint yours black.

ETA pics--you can see the shelf behind the range:

The salt shakers are sitting on the shelf:

Adri:

Your range is not installed per manufacturer's installation instructions. Get the instructions, online if you have to. You will be given a certain area in which pipes/connections are to be made. Move your supply line to that area. It isn't that big a deal.

Our cabinet installer was able to adjust it a bit and I think it's going to make a huge difference. I'm so excited to see what it looks like which should be in a day or too. Mama_goose, I love your shelf!

Speed rail

If you have a restaurant supply warehouse nearby, take a look at speed rails. They come in different widths. I have one over my stove to hold salt and pepper and it's stainless so it won't burn.

Hit the link above to view, as I couldn't get it to appear in this area.

Mamagoose I am constantly amazed by your attention to everything. Such a great kitchen you have going there!

Thanks for that idea and link, 4thumbs! That's a great price too. It's also good to think about this now before our backsplash goes in. :-)

We have the same range, bought 2 months ago for our remodel that's starting In the next few weeks (as soon as we have a permit) the manufacturer installation specs have both electrical and gas outlet close to the floor. For gas, it's 17" or less from the left side of the range, no more than 9" from the finished floor. Our range sits about 6" outside the line of the base cabinets. We are mostly DIY but will have a plumber relocate the gas shutoff between the studs, as pictured in eam44's post, so we can push it back as far as possible.

Townlakecakes, that's a very helpful photo. It reminds me that on my original post I neglected to show the measuring tape where it protruded from the wall and where it lined up on the back of the range. I just measured it at 18" which is a lot lower than it was before. Update: the range is not flush but it looks a lot better now.