How A's reliever Lou Trivino became even tougher on hitters this season

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Lou Trivino was nasty enough as it was.

Last season as a rookie, Trivino tormented hitters with a 98 mph fastball and 92 mph cutter. The A's right-hander finished the year 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 74 innings.

Now he's added a curveball and changeup to his repertoire, giving opposing hitters even more to think about.

"It's something I've always had," Trivino said of his changeup. "I just haven't really used it, especially last year. But it's something I always wanted to throw because it used to be one of my best off-speed pitches."

A's manager Bob Melvin knows what the added offspeed can do to a batter.

"He was good as it was and now, all of a sudden, he's got a couple more weapons," added A's manager Bob Melvin."You (can't) just necessarily start your bat early. You have to understand that he's got a slow pitch too. It's just going to make him better."

So far this season, Trivino has been untouchable. In 6 2/3 innings, he has allowed just one hit and one walk, with nine strikeouts.

"It was an emphasis this offseason to see if I could use that changeup as effectively as I used to," Trivino said. "Lately, it's been pretty good for me. I can throw it for a strike, so I can throw it behind in counts or ahead in counts. It's been really good."

Like most pitchers, Trivino began his career as a starter, but he struggled during his time in Single-A. He transitioned to a full-time reliever in 2016 and his numbers improved substantially.

"It was confidence and understanding my delivery a little bit better," Trivino explained. "About three or four years ago, I kind of changed my delivery and I was always a little inconsistent. I would pound the zone and then other games I wouldn't. I'd be a little all over the place, always be behind in the count, never have the same consistent stuff.

"The last two years, I really figured out my delivery. All of my pitches are shaped consistently. Knowing what the ball is going to do, it's a lot easier to throw a strike than trying to throw a two-seam (fastball) and it sinks, and then the next time you throw it, it rides on you."

Melvin credits the transition to the bullpen as a big factor into Trivino finding his command.

"I think it was actually getting into the bullpen and kind of simplifying his pitches," Melvin said. "When he was starting, he was using all of his pitches. Some weren't working, some were. When he simplified and got into the bullpen, and the velocity picks up because he's not going as long, all of those things came together at once."

Trivino finally made his big-league debut last April at the age of 26. He found immediate success, pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his first four appearances, with nine strikeouts.

"After the first two or three outings, I was comfortable," he said. "It's a bigger stage, but you've done this for a long time and it's something you dream about doing. After the first two or three outings, I felt like I could do well and compete, and I was thankful that I did."

[RELATED: Inside A's starter Aaron Brooks' three-year journey back to the majors]

Now in his second full season with the A's, Trivino knows he has what it takes to be an elite reliever. But he still doesn't take the opportunity for granted.

"I'm thankful to be here and to be able to play with the guys we have and against guys I watched growing up. It's truly unbelievable for me to be here."

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