Vogt, Graveman nearly go distance in A's win
HOUSTON -- A's right-hander Kendall Graveman pitched into the ninth inning for the first time in his career Saturday afternoon, holding a hot Astros club to five hits in a 3-2 victory at Minute Maid Park.
Only once before in his career had Graveman been able to complete eight innings, and he returned for the ninth at 90 pitches only to offer up consecutive singles to Jake Marisnick and Marwin Gonzalez, prompting A's manager Bob Melvin to bring in Ryan Dull with runners at the corners. The right-handed Dull, who entered the day having stranded all 36 of his inherited runners this season, allowed his first to score when Jose Altuve grounded into a forceout at second that plated Marisnick. Luis Valbuena added an RBI single.
Graveman got all the offensive support he needed from battery mate Stephen Vogt, who collected three hits, including a home run, and two RBIs to fall a triple short of the cycle. Astros starter Lance McCullers allowed all three Oakland runs, yielding seven hits and walking four with six strikeouts in just four innings.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Vogt of confidence: On the eve of his journey to San Diego to represent the A's as their lone All-Star, Vogt showcased his value by way of a three-hit day that featured his seventh home run of the season in the second inning to give Oakland a 1-0 lead. Vogt also plated the club's second run with an RBI single, and he scored in the inning when McCullers issued a bases-loaded walk to Marcus Semien.
Missing Springer: George Springer had his 112-game consecutive start streak broken Saturday when Astros manager A.J. Hinch gave him the day off, and it looked like Houston missed him dearly. Springer did enter as a pinch-runner in the ninth inning, just before Carlos Gomez struck out swinging to end the game.
The Astros' offense didn't get a runner on base until midway through the fifth and notched only three hits in the first eight innings. Houston is 30-12 since Springer moved into the leadoff spot, and his presence (or lack thereof) was felt.
Jane Lee has covered the A's for MLB.com since 2010.
Jordan Ray is a reporter for MLB.com based in Houston.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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