Graveman rocked in return from DL, giving up seven runs in just two innings
SAN FRANCISCO» Ryon Healy placed his helmet over his mouth and screamed into it in disgust after flying out in the sixth inning for the third straight at-bat. That was a pretty accurate depiction of how the night went for the A’s.
In his first game back from the disabled list, Kendall Graveman was torched by the San Francisco Giants. Graveman allowed seven runs on eight hits and was chased out of the game after just two innings of work in an 11-2 loss to split the Bay Bridge Series. It was the second-shortest outing of his career, with the shortest of 1 1/3 innings having also occurred against the Giants on July 26, 2015. It was also the third career start in which he has allowed seven runs or more.
Graveman felt the ball coming out of his hand well but said the trouble came when throwing his secondary pitches.
“I didn’t execute some off-speed pitches like I should. I threw a lot of strikes but I don’t think the
movement was quite there,” Graveman said. “I think I had the late sink near the end and they found some barrels and did a good job getting to some pitches inside for a couple of doubles and when I went away they did a good job taking it the other way. As a starter we have to set the tone and set the pace. I didn’t do that tonight.”
A’s manager Bob Melvin expected Graveman to require at least one full start before getting back into a good routine. There was no point during Thursday’s drubbing in which he appeared in rhythm on the mound.
After retiring Denard Span to begin the first, Graveman allowed four straight singles, resulting in two runs. Two batters later Jarrett Parker roped a two-run double to left, tagging Graveman for a fourrun first inning. He then allowed two consecutive hits to begin the second before Brandon Belt launched a two-run home run over the center field wall to bury the A’s in a 7-0 hole.
“Sometimes that first start back can be a little out of sorts,” Melvin said. “The second inning his velocity was better. First inning looked like it was down a little bit. They were just on him.”
Not only were the A’s unable to figure out Ty Blach on the mound, they had trouble with him at the plate as well.
Along with tossing eight strong innings while allowing only two runs on six hits, Blach took Chris Smith to deep center for a three-run bomb in the fifth inning. It was Blach’s first career home run.
Although Blach does not appear to have an overpowering fastball, Chad Pinder, one of just a handful of A’s who got a hit off Blach, said the left-handed pitcher had some deception to his delivery.
“He’s a little sneakier than what that radar gun shows,” Pinder said. “He was on both sides of the plate going away and did a good job of keeping us off balance.”
Matt Chapman’s bloop single for an RBI in the fourth and a solo home run from Rajai Davis in the eighth were the only two runs the A’s were able to manufacture on what was a quiet night at the plate for Oakland.
Pinder turned in his defensive highlight in the second. Playing in right field, the super-utility man made a highlight-reel diving catch near the foul line to rob Hunter Pence of a base hit and end the inning.
Even in AT&T Park’s right field which has been known to make inexperienced outfielders look silly in the past, Pinder, a natural infielder, made it look as if he’s been playing out there his entire career. He nearly threw out a runner at second a couple of times after playing the bounce off the wall to perfection and displaying a strong arm.
“It’s a little easier for me in right field,” Pinder said. “The angles for me are a little bit more comfortable. I feel like it’s a little bit more natural for me out there.”
Despite the shellacking he took on the night, Graveman did not allow it to deter his excitement of returing to a big league mound for the first time since May 19. His teammates were also glad to have him back.
“He’s a huge part of our puzzle and a proven leader on this team,” Pinder said. “You’re gonna have those days sometimes but we all have his back. “
• One bright spot on the night was the A’s bullpen. Although Smith gave up the home run to Blach, he along with Simon Castro gave the A’s six innings of relief to finish out the game. On a night that had the potential to destroy the team’s bullpen, Melvin said the pair’s performance will give him a fully rested bullpen heading into Anaheim for a three-game series with the Angels. Smith will be the only unavailable pitcher on Friday night.