Trivino facing role change after latest blowup?

OAKLAND -- When Lou Trivino entered a game in 2018, there was little suspense as to how the outcome would turn out for the A’s. The '19 version of Trivino has brought a little more drama, and more times than not, the results have not been favorable for Oakland.

Trivino failed to make a solid outing by rookie starter Tanner Anderson stick, as he blew a late one-run lead in Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Mariners. The loss puts the A’s back at .500 for the eighth time this month.

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A dropped fly ball by Mark Canha in right field on what should have been the second out of the eighth inning triggered the meltdown. Trivino followed up the error by walking Daniel Vogelbach on four pitches to load the bases, before surrendering a go-ahead two-run double to Kyle Seager. The right-hander was pulled shortly after, with his only recorded out coming on a caught stealing as catcher Beau Taylor nabbed Mallex Smith trying to take second.

“I think right now with Lou, it’s more location than anything else,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “His stuff is still good, he’s still throwing 98 mph. He’s getting behind in the count and walking guys. Having a tough time finding the strike zone, and I think that’s the issue right now.”

Trivino threw strikes on just seven of 18 pitches as the Mariners plated home four runs in the disastrous eighth, with all four charged to the right-hander, though only one was earned due to Canha’s error. After establishing himself as an dominant setup man and automatic bridge to closer Blake Treinen, Trivino has now allowed 16 runs (12 earned) over his last 8 2/3 innings.

Trivino's two walks on Sunday made it seven free passes in his last 8 2/3 innings, after walking just 11 in his previous 26. His dominant cutter, which was responsible for most of his 2018 success as his primary pitch, has also been missing. Of Trivino's 18 pitches on Sunday, he threw the cutter just two times, both for balls.

“It’s frustrating when I’m not commanding my pitches the way I want,” Trivino said. “We played really well today. We pitched our butts off, played really well and I come in and blow the lead for what seems like the 10th time this year. Hopefully I can fight through this and come up for us.”

Trivino took his fifth loss, which is second most among American League relievers, after suffering only three in his rookie campaign in 2018. His four blown saves are also tied for most by an AL reliever, with his ERA now up to 4.93.

Melvin refused to entertain the idea of a potential Minor League stint for the right-hander. He believes Trivino can figure it out in the Majors, though a potential temporary switch out of the setup role could be possible.

“The reason I’m reluctant to say I’d move him around the bullpen is because I haven’t talked to him yet,” Melvin said. “But this guy is really good, he’s just going through a tough stretch. Whether or not we need to give him a little break from that role, we’ll discuss it internally. But he’s still got good stuff.”

Anderson impresses again

Anderson’s longevity in the big leagues hinges on his performance on a start-to-start basis. It’s not the easiest situation to deal with, but the right-hander is making the most of his opportunity.

Anderson pitched into the sixth inning for a second consecutive start, allowing just two runs over 5 1/3 innings. He allowed just three hits and a walk, with his only real mistake coming in the third as he surrendered a game-tying two-run homer to Smith.

“His sinker was good on both sides, and [he] used just enough offspeed to keep them off balance,” Melvin said. “He did his job and came out with the lead, two really good starts for him.”

Arriving to the Majors for his first start last week after posting a 6.26 ERA over 11 games at Triple-A Las Vegas, Anderson seems to have upped his game at the big league level. He relies heavily on his sinker, and after it worked well for him in his first start against the Rays, that good feeling continued. He threw the sinker for 67 of his 93 pitches on Sunday, mixing in some offspeed stuff in order to set up the pitch.

“There’s definitely room to work,” Anderson said of his first two starts. “I’m happy with them because I’m not going out there and giving up the house in the first inning. My objective is to go deep, save the bullpen and keep us in the ballgame. I’ve been able to do that twice.”

Davis supplies lumber

On what was Khris Davis Bat Giveaway Day at the Coliseum, all 30,242 fans in attendance received a wood bat that featured the slugger’s signature.

In the second inning, Davis provided more reason for those fans to get excited, as he crushed a solo homer off Mariners starter Mike Leake to give the A’s an early 1-0 lead. The homer was the first of two on the day for Oakland, with Ramon Laureano also taking Leake deep for a solo shot in the fourth.

Luzardo moves up

After allowing one run over four innings on Sunday, with nine strikeouts and no walks in his second rehab outing with Class A Advanced Stockton, Jesus Luzardo, Oakland's No. 1 prospect, is expected to move up to Triple-A Las Vegas for a start on Saturday, a source told MLB.com.

The left-hander continues to progress from a shoulder strain, and he is expected to be a part of the A’s rotation at some point this season.