Athletics 9, Mariners 5: Seattle fails to build on, or hold, early three-run lead

This game sure didn't finish the way it began for the Mariners. But that's what lousy pitching and an anemic offense will do to you and the M's had both tonight after the second inning. Luke French now has a 6.38 ERA since joining the Mariners from Detroit at the July 31 trade deadline. He's now walked 17 batters against only 22 strikeouts. Not a good sign. Control problems plagued him tonight. He either missed the zone or grooved balls down the middle. Either way, it's a recipe for the disaster that followed. The Mariners scored three in the second off Brett Anderson, then failed to do any more damage until a two-run homer by Jose Lopez in the ninth. Could have used that blast a bit earlier, I'm afraid. We saw plenty of bizarre plays tonight. How often do you get a 4-6-3 with an RBI credited to the hitter? (Hint: it was not a double-play ball, only one groundout). And how about that 3-5 fielder's choice groundout turned by "first baseman" Lope...