Oakland Blanks Houston 4-0

Led by designated hitter Billy Butler’s RBI double in the sixth inning, the Oakland Athletics blanked the Houston Astros 4-0 at Minute Maid Park Tuesday.

Kendall Graveman (1-1), who worked 5.1 scoreless innings, picked up his first career major-league win.  Graveman allowed four hits and four walks but recorded three strikeouts in the appearance.

Oakland's bullpen combined for three 2/3 shutout frames to close out the contest.

Butler, who launched a three-run homer in Monday's win, is the only Athletic to hit safely in each of the club's first nine games. He's batting .371 in that span for his new team. Only outfielder Sam Fuld, who hit a pair of doubles from the leadoff spot Tuesday night, sports a better average among A's regulars, at .375.

Astros starter Brad Peacock, activated from the disabled list in time for Tuesday's start, pitched five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Peacock made it through 85 pitches (52 strikes) in his first start this season, following off-season hip surgery. The right-hander had been rehabbing at Triple-A Fresno.

The A's, who entered the day with a Major League-leading 21 doubles, tacked on three to their season total in Tuesday's win, two of which led to a run. Fuld jump-started the game with a two-bagger and, after advancing to second on Mark Canha's ground out to the right side, scored on Ben Zobrist's sacrifice fly. In the sixth, Butler doubled and came around to score on Stephen Vogt's base hit. Fuld also doubled in the third.

In the A's five wins, they've outscored the opposition, 42-1. The club's starters have allowed one earned run or fewer in seven of the first nine games for a 2.10 ERA.

Drew Pomerantz, (1-0, 0.00 ERA), gets the start for the A's in the series finale Thursday. Houston will counter with Collin McHugh (1-0, 1.50) who has won his last eight decisions. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 pm from Minute Maid.

The game can be heard here on Sports Radio 1340 The Fan with the pre-game beginning at 6:50 p.m.