The News Tribune · Apr 21, 2017
Athletics 9, Mariners 6: Back on the road and back in trouble
A return to the road Thursday for the Mariners resurrected memories of their miserable seven-game trip at the start of the season.
The short version is this: They lost another game they probably should have won when they bungled away an early three-run lead date in a, yes, miserable 9-6 loss to the Oakland Athletics.
They lost because James Paxton, untouchable through three previous starts, got roughed up and failed to make it through the fifth inning.
They lost because they failed to take full advantage of Cesar Valdez, a non-prospect pitcher who hadn’t appeared in the majors since 2010.