ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Kendall Graveman gave up three hits over six innings in his return from the minors, Sam Fuld drove in two runs and the Oakland Athletics beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-0 on Saturday.
Graveman (2-2), recalled from Triple-A Nashville to make the start, struck out six and walked two to help the A's win for just the third time in 17 games. The right-hander was on the opening-day roster and went 1-2 with an 8.27 ERA in four starts before being optioned to Nashville on April 26.
 
Graveman, Fuld lead A's to 5-0 win over Rays
 
After wasting several good scoring chances, Oakland broke through for four runs in the sixth. Xavier Cedeno replaced Rays starter Nathan Karns (3-2) with two outs and gave up Eric Sogard's RBI single. After Mark Canha walked to load the bases, three runs scored on Fuld's single that also included two Tampa Bay errors.
Fuld was credited with two RBIs on his hit that was misplayed by center fielder Kevin Kiermaier for the first error. Catcher Rene Rivera got the second error after dropping Kiermaier's throw that allowed the third run to score.
Graveman got two strikeouts to help work out of a two-on, no-out jam in the fifth. He also avoided damage in the sixth when the Rays put two runners on with one out.
Evan Scribner and Tyler Clippard completed a six-hitter.
Tampa Bay loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but Clippard ended the threat by striking out pinch-hitter Joey Butler on three pitches.
Karns allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings.
Billy Burns got his first career RBI in the eighth after drawing the fourth consecutive walk issued by Enny Romero with two outs.
Oakland had at least one baserunner in each of the first four innings, including two on in both the second and fourth, but failed to score.
 

Comments are closed.