MESA, Ariz. — The ground-ball outs were an encouraging sign for Kendall Graveman, but it was an out recorded in a different fashion that also earned notice Friday afternoon.
Graveman wheeled and fired a strike to first to pick off the Giants’ Brandon Crawford in the second inning, highlighting his sharp two-inning effort as the A’s won 6-1 to continue their Cactus League dominance over their cross-bay rivals. They’ve won their past nine over San Francisco in games played in Arizona.
Graveman talks often about wanting to master all facets of his game. Showing a dangerous pickoff move is an extension of that, and A’s first baseman Yonder Alonso said it’s something the right-hander works hard at.