A's 2, Mariners 0
Rookie Kendall Graveman outpitched Oakland nemesis Felix Hernandez and the Athletics claimed a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday at O.co Coliseum.
Graveman (6-4) blanked the Mariners for seven innings, allowing five hits and a walk and striking out one. He is 5-2 with a 1.78 ERA since May 23.
Second baseman Robinson Cano and right fielder Nelson Cruz singled against Graveman to start the seventh, but he retired the last three batters he faced -- one on his own nifty grab at first base after a grounder to first baseman Ike Davis wide of the bag.
Seattle brought the tying run to the plate in each of the last two innings, but Drew Pomeranz blanked Seattle on one hit in the eighth and Tyler Clippard picked up his 15th save of the season despite issuing a walk in the ninth.
The Athletics scored against Hernandez (10-5) in the first inning when center fielder Billy Burns singled, stole second and scored on a single by left fielder Ben Zobrist.
Burns singled again to start the seventh, went to third on a single by catcher Stephen Vogt and scored on Zobrist's sacrifice fly.
Hernandez, who allowed 10 hits in seven innings while striking out six and walking two, had gone 13 starts at the Coliseum without losing, dating to Sept. 19, 2008. He took his third loss in 21 starts in Oakland.
NOTES: The A's had a chance to add to their lead against RHP Felix Hernandez in the seventh inning, but catcher Stephen Vogt was thrown out an home on an attempted double steal. ... Vogt, CF Billy Burns and 3B Brett Lawrie each had two hits against Hernandez. ... OF James Jones, RHP Mayckol Guaipe and LHP Davis Rollins were called up by the Mariners from Triple-A Tacoma before the game. LHP Roenis Elias, who took the loss on Friday, was sent down along with LHP Vidal Nuno and RHP Tom Wilhelmsen. ... Oakland RHP Sonny Gray threw off a mound for the first time since being hospitalized because of salmonella and could start Tuesday's road opener against the New York Yankees.