Kaprielian takes big step toward strong finish

HOUSTON -- James Kaprielian looked good in his first start in two weeks, throwing six solid innings. And despite the result not going Oakland’s way, he is hopeful this could propel him for the rest of the season.

Kaprielian yielded two runs on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts, earning a no-decision in the A’s 5-2 loss to the Astros on Thursday night at Minute Maid Park.

The right-hander, who was starting for the first time since Aug. 31, allowed his fewest runs since giving up two to the Mariners on Aug. 20.

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Kaprielian said he had been working over the past two weeks on things with his leg lift and making adjustments in order to get back to how he was feeling previously.

“I’d say for the last week and a half, I’ve felt it whether I was playing catch or getting off the mound,” Kaprielian said. “I was really looking forward to being out there today and competing, and trying to put the team in a situation to win.

“I think today was good for me, and I felt the things that I was working on out on the mound today, which is awesome.”

Kaprielian was moved to the bullpen following his Aug. 31 start -- when he allowed five runs (two earned) in a loss to the Nationals -- but those plans were changed due to Adam Oller’s right rib injury. Kaprielian was scratched from his previous start with a right middle finger laceration.

Kaprielian said the finger felt good following the series opener against the Astros.

“This was a great outing for him coming off the finger [issue],” manager Mark Kotsay said. “… For him to come out and give us six innings against this lineup and two runs, seeing him finish that sixth inning, which we’ve talked a lot about. It’s a tough inning to get through the third time through the lineup. He did a great job for us.”

The finger did not affect Kaprielian as he threw mainly sliders and four-seam fastballs -- both 38 times -- among his 105 pitches Fastballs and sliders accounted for 36% of his pitch usage. The velocity on his fastball averaged 95 mph, with a max velocity of 97.

Kotsay said it was a great sign to see Kaprielian relying on the fastball and slider as much as he did.

“He looked like he had really good life on his fastball,” Kotsay said. “Location, for me, looked great. And the slider had a lot of depth tonight. He got some swing and miss there. … Overall, it was great that he was healthy and able to give us the six innings tonight.”

Kaprielian credited catcher Sean Murphy for the performance.

“I kind of felt like I was a little bit more myself tonight, timing-wise on the mound. And because of that, my stuff felt a little bit more like me and sharp, and I was able to throw it for strikes and balls when I needed in both situations,” Kaprielian said.

“I think Murph and my communication and work throughout the game, inning to inning and batter to batter, I felt like a battery with him. That’s probably one of the best outings that we’ve had together where I’ve had the grip in my hand before and he called the pitch, and we were ready to go.”

Lance McCullers Jr. and the Astros’ bullpen limited the A’s to two runs on three hits and four walks. After Kaprielian left with the game tied at 2, Oakland’s bullpen yielded three runs in the seventh on a two-run homer by Aledmys Díaz off Joel Payamps and an RBI single by Kyle Tucker off Sam Moll.

For Kaprielian, who had allowed 13 runs (10 earned) over his previous two outings and entered Thursday’s outing at 3-9 with a 4.79 ERA, the performance against the Astros could be a turnaround for the rest of the season.

“I need to finish strong,” he said. “There’s no doubt that I haven’t had the season that I’ve wanted, but I think I’ve learned a lot this year. And a lot of the adjustments that I’ve had to make and relying on the guys around me and continue to learn, I think it’s starting to show now, which is an exciting piece for me. Get back out there tomorrow and continue to work, and look forward to the next one.”