Game Preview: Athletics At Astros

(AP) - Kendall Graveman became one of the most anticipated young pitchers of the season due to a phenomenal spring training, but the excitement was undone in a dreadful season debut.

He'll look to bounce back for the visiting Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night when they face the Houston Astros.

Graveman worked his way into Oakland's starting rotation with six dazzling spring starts, posting a 0.36 ERA in 25 1-3 innings, but that success did not carry over into his first regular season outing. The right-hander was roughed up for seven earned runs in 3 1-3 innings of a 10-1 loss to Texas on Thursday.

"The way he threw the ball in spring, I thought he was the best pitcher in the world," reliever Tyler Clippard told the Athletics' official website. "But you know what? For a young guy, I'm sure there was a lot of adrenaline for him. These outings happen, so it's not too worrisome. He showed us what he's all about in spring, so we definitely like him on our team."

It was the first career start for Graveman, who worked 4 2-3 innings out of the bullpen with Toronto in 2014. He was acquired by Oakland (4-4) in the deal that sent Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays.

His start Tuesday will follow an outstanding performance from Scott Kazmir in Oakland's 8-1 rout of the Astros (3-4) in the series opener. Kazmir allowed three hits and one run - a Jose Altuve solo homer - over six innings and struck out eight.

Billy Butler, Marcus Semien and Brett Lawrie all hit their first home runs since joining Oakland in the offseason, and Ben Zobrist and Sam Fuld scored two runs apiece.

Oakland has scored seven or more runs five times in eight games this season.

"One through nine, you never know what can happen, any given day," Lawrie said. "We've been stringing hits together, and when you can do that you can be loose and just play and not worry too much."

Houston will turn to right-hander Brad Peacock (4-9, 4.72 ERA), who will be activated from the disabled list after recovering from right hip surgery. Rookie Asher Wojciechowski was initially scheduled to start, but was pressed into duty Monday following Scott Feldman's poor outing.

Wojciechowski saved the Astros' bullpen with four scoreless innings of relief, and was optioned to Triple-A Fresno following the defeat.

Peacock went 0-2 with a 6.16 ERA in four starts against Oakland last season and struggled mightily with his control, walking 19 in 19 innings.

He'll have the benefit of pitching in front of a streaking Altuve on Tuesday. Altuve's dominance of the AL West in his career has especially applied to the Athletics, as he is hitting .348 against them in 39 games.

Altuve has hit safely in 24 consecutive meetings with Oakland, dating back to 2013.

Chris Carter has also enjoyed success against his former team, hitting eight homers with 27 RBIs in 37 games. However, the slugger went hitless in three at-bats Monday and is 1 for 22 this season.

Updated April 14, 2015