The topsy-turvy world of Oakland starting pitching became a bit less muddled Sunday when Kendall Graveman stepped up with seven one-run innings against the defending World Series champion Royals.
Both manager Bob Melvin and the front office had made it clear that the A’s troubled starting rotation needed to get itself together, and Graveman got the message. He’d come into the game with a 6.75 ERA and more of the same might have meant he was destined for Triple-A with the A’s looking to create room to add Felix Doubront to the rotation and Ryan Dull to take Doubront’s spot in the bullpen.