That trend is pretty clear and definitive that the team can get to the A-S break well above .500 on adrenaline and good luck, but when the mojo wears off and the arms are dragging it's a downhill sled ride into the season end.
Paxton was never going to be a big help or playoff pusher, but when I saw him drop in the first inning, I conceded that this team is snakebit and , in fact, will not avoid their now 3 year fateful slide into oblivion.
OTH , 3 games back of Royal and 46 to go, why give it up ? There'll be plenty of September time for that concession speech.