by Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s beat the Houston Astros 4-0 behind a good pitching performance by Kendall Graveman. Graveman evened his record at 1-1 and rebounded after being beat by the Texas Rangers last Thursday in Oakland. Graveman needed to have his sinker working and it was as he induced at least eleven ground outs in picking up his first Major League victory. Graveman went 5 1/3rd innings and allowed no runs and just 4 hits. Graveman had a little trouble with location and walked four but struck out three before departing in the top of the sixth with one out. The A’s called on Eric O’Flaherty Dan Otero, Fernando Abad and Tyler Clippard to stop the Astros from scoring and they all did the job.

The A’s took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Center fielder Sam Fuld led off the game by hitting an opposite field double. The next batter, Mark Canha did a nice job of hitting as he ground out to second enabling Fuld to move to third. Ben Zobrist hit a sacrifice fly and Fuld scored with the first run of the game. The Astros, in the bottom of the first, had two men on with one out, but Graveman got Evan Gattis to hit into a 1-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Graveman and the Astros’ starter, former Athletic, Brad Peacock engaged in an old-fashioned pitchers’ duel until the A’s broke through and scored twice in the sixth.  Zobrist walked to start the frame. Designated hitter, “Country breakfast” Billy Butler slashed a double down the right field line driving in Zobrist all the way from first. Stephen Vogt singled driving in Butler. Graveman started the sixth. The Astros had men on base with no out. A’s pitching coach, Curt Young, Paid a visit to the mound and told Graveman that he would be out of the game after the next hitter, Astro slugger Chris Carter. Graveman retired Carter on strikes and lefty Eric O’Flaherty got the next hitter to hit into an inning-ending double play.

The A’s added a run in the ninth. Brett Lawrie walked and stole second. Josh Reddick singled to drive in Lawrie to put the A’s ahead 4-0. Tyler Clippard  pitched the ninth to win it for Oakland.

Game notes. The A’s won two in a row for the first time this season and they improve their record to 5-4. Houston. Brad Peacock took the loss for Houston. Graveman threw 96 pitches and lowered his ERA from 18.90 to 7.27. After the game, Graveman said, ” Curt Young did a great job last week to build my confidence.” Graveman said they stressed that he had to “pitch to contact” and he had “good feeling” out on the mound. He also said,” the defense played great behind me.”

The A’s will go for the sweep Wednesday night at 5:10 pm in Houston. Drew Pomeranz will pitch for Oakland.