Trivino impressive in 3-inning outing
NEW YORK — On a night that the A’s pitching was largely ineffective, rookie Lou Trivino turned in a fantastic outing, and a long one at that.
Trivino, the A’s setup man the first half of the season, had a tough second half, with a 7.78 ERA in his last 23 appearances. But on Wednesday, he was by far the team’s best reliever. He came in the game to start the second and he worked three innings, allowing an infield single and a walk. He struck out four.
“I was trying to do my best and trying to do my thing to help us win that game,” Trivino said, adding that when he gave up a hit to start things, “I wasn’t really worried. I know everyone might have been. But I felt really good and if I was able to execute, good things were going to happen.”
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy was highly encouraged by Trivino’s outing. “He kind of had a rough end to the season but tonight he showed up and really pitched well,” Lucroy said. “I was really proud of him. He was throwing strikes, attacking.”
Trivino and another rookie, Aug. 30 call-up J.B. Wendelken, could be the top candidates to replace free-agent Jeurys Familia as the A’s setup man or men next season. Wendelken, who was not used Wednesday night, had an 0.54 ERA in 13 appearances. Other free agents: Oakland has numerous other free agents who might depart, although the team has broached the topic of giving second baseman Jed Lowrie a new deal.
Among the others who are not under team control next year: Lucroy, starters Edwin Jackson, Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson; relievers Fernando Rodney and Shawn Kelley, and outfielder Matt Joyce.
The A’s might have some interest in bringing back Lucroy on a one-year deal, but there have been no talks; catcher Sean Murphy is a top prospect, but he is not expected to be ready to open the season in the majors. Jackson was so thoroughly liked in the clubhouse and performed well enough that the team might entertain the idea of bringing him back.
Kelley said on The Chronicle’s A’s Plus podcast that he’s likely to retire this winter. Briefly: The Yankees have taken all four of the postseason series between the teams, sweeping the 1981 ALCS and winning the 2000 and 2001 Division Series in five games. … The spiritual father of bullpenning, MLB Network host Brian Kenny, couldn’t have been more delighted the A’s went with a full bullpen game. “I think this is remarkable,” Kenny said. “I think it’s a seismic event. It absolutely puts the imprint of it on the game.”… Kenny proposed doing away with starters in “Ahead of the Curve” in 2016.