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Many key missed opportunities on offense and another shoddy performance by the bullpen led to the Tribe’s 6-3 defeat Sunday afternoon. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, Rafael Betancourt, who made his first appearance in nearly a week, surrendered a three-run bomb to Carlos Lee that gave the Brewers the sweep and their second walk-off victory in as many days. The Indians stranded 12 runners in the game and wasted several chances to put more runs on the board. In the third inning, the Indians failed to score with the bases loaded and no outs.

“We were horrible with runners in scoring position and less than two outs,” Wedge said. “We pushed their starter [Zach Jackson] to 80 pitches in three innings and we only get a couple of runs out of it. That’s ridiculous.”

Paul Byrd put forth a quality start, allowing three runs in six innings. Jhonny Peralta and Ronnie Belliard each had three hits for the Tribe, who finished their dreadful road trip with a 2-7 record.

As the Indians travel back home for their next series, they find themselves a distant 14 games out of first place and in fourth place in the Central. Shapiro needs to make a critical decision soon whether or not to scrap the season and bring up the youngsters. There clearly is no sign of a turnaround so perhaps the organization needs to swallow its pride and realize this season is pretty much over.

Jake Westbrook pitched one of his best games of the year but it all went to waste as Bob Wickman blew his second save in a week in the Brewers’ 3-2 victory Saturday night. Geoff Jenkins singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth after Wickman loaded the bases via two walks and a bloop hit.

“Obviously, I couldn’t throw a strike,” said Wickman, who blew his second save opportunity in 11 chances. “It doesn’t matter how sharp the stuff is if you can’t throw a strike.”

Westbrook did not give up an earned run in eight innings, struck out a career-high eight, and even doubled home the Tribe’s second run. The costly unearned run came in the sixth when Ben Broussard booted a grounder allowing the Brewers’ first run to score. The Tribe’s hodgepodge lineup could not do much off Milwaukee starter Dave Bush, who allowed only two runs and four hits in eight innings. Due to injuries, the Indians were forced to do some reshuffling with their lineup. Jhonny Peralta stayed hot, going 2 for 4 with a double, and prospect Franklin Guitierrez got his first major league hit.

Wedge made a poor decision by leaving Hafner out of the lineup. Isn’t it ironic that his defense is his primary liability but it was Broussard who made the critical error at first base? How can you fail to put your best hitter in the lineup, especially when the offense has been sputtering? And lastly, who in the world is Dave Bush?

C.C Sabathia and the Indians fell behind in the first inning and could never recover as they lost 6-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers and dropped another series opener. Sabathia had a rough start to the game as he allowed four Brewers to cross the plate in the first inning. He ended up allowing five in six innings.

“I felt like I threw well when I was throwing my pitches right. I ended up with nine strikeouts and too many walks,” said Sabathia, who walked two. “I felt like I was behind in the count all night.”

Milwaukee starter Cris Capuano was nothing short of outstanding, giving up only two runs and striking out a career-high 12 in seven innings to get the win. Sabathia tried to help his own cause when he singled home two runs in the fifth. Two solo homers by Corey Koskie and Carlos Lee extended the Brewer lead but the Indians still attempted to battle back in the ninth. Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run bomb to cut the lead in half but the Indians would not get any closer.

Cris Capuano really had his stuff going Friday night. He’s not a hard-thrower but much like Mark Buerhle, Kenny Rogers, Jamie Moyer, etc, he’s the type of lefty that gives the Tribe trouble. He used his offspeed pitches effectively and had Indian hitters off balance and fishing all night long.

On the bright side, if there is one, Jhonny Peralta is starting to look like the kid we knew from last season. He went 3 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs and is 6 for 8 since being benched for a short period of time. Granted, it’s only two games, but he’s putting much better swings on the ball. It seems as though he has made an adjustment with his stance by lowering his hands which shortens his swing and allows him to get better contact on the ball.