Since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 3, Graveman has worked into the sixth inning in three of his four starts, expending much-needed length in front of Oakland's bullpen, which ranked 27th in MLB with a 4.65 ERA prior to Saturday's games.
Graveman gave the A's a chance at a win over the American League West leaders, but a lack of offense squandered that in Oakland's 12th loss in 14 games against Houston this season.
"He threw the ball well, especially when there was some traffic," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He pitched out of some jams, had a chance to get out of one completely.