Graveman struggles to get outs vs. Giants
Bullpen records 6 2/3 shutout innings as A's nearly come back
SAN FRANCISCO -- Kendall Graveman allowed nine of the 13 batters he faced to reach base Sunday, lasting just 1 1/3 innings and yielding four earned runs in the A's 4-3 loss to the Giants at AT&T Park.
Matt Duffy made Graveman pay on a poorly located cutter, launching the ball over the fence in left to give the Giants a 2-0 lead in the first. Graveman never bounced back, needing 50 pitches to record four outs.
"I've just got to get outs," Graveman said. "That's why I'm out there, that's my job, to get our team deep in ballgames. I've got to be better at that."
Video: OAK@SF: Graveman strikes out Hudson to end the 1st
Graveman knows he's capable of rebounding, much like he did when he dominated after returning from Triple-A Nashville on May 23.
He didn't give up more than three runs in any of his first nine starts back in the Majors after the callup, but has surrendered a combined 14 in his last three.
"Going through it once I think it does help going through it a second time to not keep following this same pattern and get better," Graveman said.
While Graveman struggled, the A's bullpen shined in the series finale.
The A's needed 13 2/3 innings from their relievers in the Giants' three-game sweep, including 6 2/3 shutout frames Sunday. The bullpen kept the A's in the game, but they came up just short.
Video: OAK@SF: Pomeranz starts a double play to end the 7th
Dan Otero (1 2/3 innings), Evan Scribner (two), Drew Pomeranz (two) and Eric O'Flaherty (one) gave up a combined five hits.
Scribner even made a nifty behind-the-back snag in the fourth inning to retire Duffy.
Video: OAK@SF: Scribner makes excellent behind-the-back grab
Pomeranz, who was initially scheduled to start Wednesday but will no longer be making that start, made sure he was ready when called upon despite the uncertainty of when he would pitch.
A's manager Bob Melvin credited his bullpen for doing its job and not letting the margin increase.
"[The Giants] were swinging the bats great, got seven hits and a couple walks in an inning and a third," Melvin said, "and then to come in and shut them down like that was terrific. We just couldn't get that one last run."