Kaprielian showcases sinker in stellar outing vs. Mariners

Share

Whether it's finding their command or perhaps something else, Athletics pitching has dominated the Seattle Mariners in this series. 

James Kaprielian went seven innings allowing two hits and zero runs in the A's 2-1 victory over the Mariners on Wednesday at the Oakland Coliseum, becoming the latest pitcher to quiet the Seattle bats

One pitch that A's manager Mark Kotsay praised Kaprielian's usage of was the sinker. The A's manager said that it hasn't been a pitch he has seen a lot of this season, so even if he was taken aback by it, then it's no surprise the Mariners were as well. 

"I just saw that Kap we've seen especially last year," Kotsay told reporters after the win. "Started the game out with a strike slider, went straight to the sinker and those two sinkers he threw Rodriguez to start the game off were sinkers we really haven't seen the majority of this year. 

"He did a great job continuing that pounding the strike zone, only one walk tonight, six strikeouts, a lot of swing and miss, and he had his mix in the zone. Probably his best night of the year, and obviously the results are there to support it with seven innings."

Oakland pitching has given up five hits and one run in two games to the Mariners, who are battling for an AL Wild Card spot. Kaprielian used every pitch in his arsenal to keep the Mariners off balance while he was out on the mound. 

"I think we went right after guys," Kaprielian told NBC Sports California's Chris Townsend and Dave Stewart on "A's Postgame Live." "I think we used all the pitches the way we needed to. We opened it up with the sinker a lot more tonight. 

"And that right-handed right on right change up as well. I think that got guys off the slider a little bit. We kind of backed off the curveball a little bit because the slider and the change were feeling good, and we just continue to tap guys, and that's the kind of picture I want to be out there at night."

RELATED: Shea Langeliers is MLB's future 'premier' catcher, per Athletics' Billy Owens

The A's will go for a sweep of the Mariners on Thursday and will send Adrián Martínez (4-5, 5.77 ERA) to the mound. Meanwhile, Seattle is trying to salvage one game in the series with George Kirby (7-4, 2.98 ERA) toeing the rubber. 

Contact Us