Since a few versions the port parameter is not optional anymore. I have version 1.1.1 of pecl/gearman compiled with libgearman 1.1.5, and I'm getting the following error:
send_packet(GEARMAN_COULD_NOT_CONNECT) Failed to send server-options packet -> libgearman/connection.cc:430
This happens if you don't provide a port.
Just set the second parameter to 4730 and it is working again.