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Lou Trivino running into wall as Oakland A’s closer

By David Hill

Aug 21, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Lou Trivino (62) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Lou Trivino (62) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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The ninth inning had been on lockdown for the Oakland A’s for most of this season. Lou Trivino had stepped into the closer role and excelled, having blown only two saves until Saturday. The A’s closer situation appeared to be in excellent hands for the foreseeable future.

That has not been the case lately. Trivino has struggled in his last two outings, allowing five runs on five hits, including two homers, and a walk while recording just five outs. He has blown saves in each of those games, leading to questions as to whether or not he should remain in that role.

Lou Trivino has hit the wall

Based on those two outings, that question is understandable. The A’s need every victory they can get as they attempt to lock in a postseason berth, and those two losses certainly hurt. If Trivino is slipping, and could be a question mark down the stretch, the A’s would need to consider that option.

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Instead, it is more likely that he has simply hit the wall this season. The first blown save came in his third consecutive appearance, a circumstance that he had not been in this season. While he did get a day off between outings prior to Monday’s blown save, he has still been used frequently, as his 57 appearances are the second most on the team.

Trivino is also up to 59.1 innings this season, a drastic increase over the 23.1 innings he threw last season, and just two outs shy of his total for the 2019 campaign. As pitchers are getting into the final few weeks of the season, it is not a surprise that several are starting to feel the effects of that increased workload.

As the A’s have had few relievers they could count on for much of this season, Trivino has been overworked at times. He simply needs a chance to rest, which not pitching on Tuesday and the off day on Wednesday will provide. Chances are, Trivino will be back to the form he had displayed in short order.

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Lou Trivino has hit the proverbial wall this season. Once he gets some time to rest, the Oakland A’s closer should be right back to his previous form.