Graveman not getting in done so far in two starts for A’s
Supposed ace of staff has given up four long balls in 10 innings
OAKLAND >> Kendall Graveman was entrusted with the title of No. 1 starter for a young A’s starting rotation this season, but so far that assignment has not produced desirable results.
Graveman surrendered a solo home run to Joey Gallo in the third inning of Tuesday night’s 4-1 loss to the Rangers, making four homers allowed now over 10 innings pitched.
Tasked with going up against the opposing team’s ace pitcher most times out, the A’s will need to get more from Graveman, who has now failed to go past five innings in each of his first two starts. Graveman was responsible for all four runs on the night, allowing eight hits and a walk with just one strikeout.
The A’s offense was stifled by Cole Hamels, who was electric on the mound for the Rangers.
Chad Pinder’s solo home run to left in the third was the only real damage inflicted on Hamels. The fourtime All-Star struck out 11 batters over five innings. Hamels’ first eight outs of the game all came on strikeouts.
The low attendance numbers also continued at the Coliseum.
For the second consecutive night attendance was under 10,000 with an announced crowd of 9,157 Tuesday night, which was also a free parking night. It was a slight improvement over Monday night’s attendance of 7,416, which was the lowest for a game in Oakland since 2003.
A’s outfielder Stephen Piscotty, who arrived from
St. Louis used to playing in front of large crowds as a member of the Cardinals the past three years, said he didn’t pay too much attention to Monday’s small crowd. But it is always nice to have a vibrant atmosphere while playing at home.
“As a player, you’re pretty locked in on the game,” Piscotty said. “Some places it’s easier to do than others. Obviously it’s nice at home to have a nice, loud crowd. But on a Monday night, it’s kind of expected.”
Piscotty finds himself more frustrated by his own play at the Coliseum early on in his first season back near his hometown.
The Pleasanton native has run into some troubles as he continues to adjust to the right field at his new home ballpark. He made his first error of the season Monday night leaping for a ball at the warning track when it probably wasn’t necessary, but the uncertainty of knowing how far away Piscotty was from the wall forced him to jump.
Piscotty also had some issues in the previous series against the Angels, misjudging some balls under what can be a tough sun to deal with for day games.
“There’s been some adjustment trying to get a feel for the wall and where it’s at. Getting reads as well,” Piscotty said. “It’s a little bit of an adjustment. I haven’t been very happy with how it’s gone. I hope to turn it around quick.”
Unfamiliarity with new
teammates is another factor A’s manager Bob Melvin sees as a possible reason for Piscotty’s early woes in right.
There were a couple of plays last weekend where Piscotty and center fielder Boog Powell had communication errors that caused the ball to drop in between them.
“I think just as much potentially is getting to know the guys around him,” Melvin said. “Boog gets over
there in a hurry. Maybe sometimes the center fielder is the quarterback, and he’s still getting to know Boog a little bit and how much ground he can cover.”
Looking to speed up the adjustment process, Piscotty has been using batting practice as an opportunity get a better feel for how the right field plays in Oakland.
While outfielders will usually take a more relaxed approach to defense
during BP, Piscotty is taking it seriously as he takes reads on balls that are hit to him during the pregame sessions.
“It’s the most gamelike situation you can get in practice,” Piscoty said. “Maybe helpful to back up a little bit and see how some of those balls play up against the wall. It’s just part of being an outfielder and learning your surroundings.”
• Starting pitcher Paul Blackburn began the season on the 10-day disabled list, and he’s going to be out for a bit longer.
The right-hander has yet to begin throwing again after experiencing forearm tightness in his final start of the spring on March 22. Blackburn said he is still feeling the tightness and will not be allowed to throw until he is pain-free.
“He’s just not coming along great right now,” Melvin said.