How many more headlines do I need to come up with to describe series I'm not interested in?

shirk
–verb (used with object)
1. to evade (work, duty, responsibility, etc.).
–verb (used without object)
2. to evade work, duty, etc.

This is officially what I've done with my blogging duties as the Indians slipped farther and farther into an bottomless abyss. Luckily I've had other things to distract me. Ha, look at that squirrel. Anyway yes the Indians keep playing like someone hasn't told them this season will quickly be forgotten like so many 1980's seasons were. This time we played the Pirates, a team we should beat.

Game one Tuesday saw David Huff, yes our David Huff, pitch eight scoreless innings while surrendering only four hits. And with the Pirates' starter getting pulled after 2.2 innings I know what you're thinking (maybe). "This one is a lock to be a win." Of course if you're an up-to-date Indians fan you're probably thinking "we blew it again, didn't we?" Actually you're both wrong, whoever you are. Matt Herges somehow can't get more than one Pirate out, Kerry Wood still surrenders two hits and walks two, but the Indians win. Since the horrible rotation/bullpen this season has drawn all the attention I'm going to make a concerted effort to get back to actually highlighting decent offensive performances. Just because the pitching usually tells the whole story doesn't mean those guys should go unrecognized. Jhonny Peralta is the clear standout in this game with a home run, number four, and three runs batted in. Grady Sizemore's return to the lineup was capped by a two-hit night that included a triple. Tribe(30-42) win 5-4.

Wednesday's game two unfortunately was started by the very human-looking Carl Pavano. Is he hurt? He'd better be with numbers like 3.2 innings and eight runs on 11 hits. Sure only three of those runs were earned but good lord, man! After that we got guys with ERA's like 5.17, 3.72, 4.91, and 10.02 asked to pitch. Pittsburgh starter Zach Duke did a fine job shutting down the Indians at the plate, finishing six innings of work allowing only one run. I'm sure getting that kind of run support doesn't hurt a pitcher either. Yes, the Indians did make a ninth-inning comeback, scoring five, but they would have needed five more to get the win. Tribe(30-43) lose 6-10.

Tonight's just-completed game was actually close until the end. Yeah I don't know if that means anything. Cliff Lee, he of the maybe only dependable arm in our current major league and AAA system, took the mound and did pretty much what Cliff Lee does, seven innings, four hits, and two runs. Offensively the Tribe was led by Victor Martinez, who had a home run and scored twice. Hey that's all of our runs right there. Long story short: Matt Herges comes in to pitch the ninth in a tie game and gives up three straight hits to end the game. Tribe(30-44) lose 2-3.

A lot has been written this week about firing Wedge and what's wrong with the Indians. The DiaTribe has a good article up today about it, Pluto wrote up a piece the other day, and now you get my watered-down take.

Pitching-wise, this team is almost bankrupt. Sure, not too many people can predict regressions like the one Fausto Carmona has had and injuries to Aaron Laffey, Scott Lewis, and Anthony Reyes didn't help either. On top of that you have Jensen Lewis giving up a home run every four innings, Rafael Perez not only not getting guys out but walking a surprising amount as well. When it comes down to it it doesn't matter what I think should be done, but someone at some level has to be wondering if 2007 was the outlier, not all these terribly inconsistent years. I remember right before last year thinking no matter what happened that at least the Indians would play good ball and finish above .500. Of course we didn't do either until the end of the season finishing 81-81.

Titles not used for this post:

- Oh the humanity!
- Won't someone please think of the children!
- You can't put God Damn in a post title! Don't worry. Nobody's reading, anyway.

Next up we have the homestand against the Reds, a team we haven't played well the last few years.

Game 1: Aaron Harang, RHP (5-7, 3.66) vs. Jeremy Sowers, LHP (1-5, 5.95)
Game 2: To be announced vs. Tomo Ohka, RHP (0-1, 4.70)
Game 3: Micah Owings, RHP (4-8, 4.87) vs. David Huff, LHP (3-2, 5.71)

Back in the day, a girlfriend of a friend commented that she didn't like Aaron Harang because he threw too slowly - let's hope she doesn't tune in to tomorrow's game. Come on Cincinnati - the Indians have the testicular fortitude to put Tomo Ohka's name in pen for Saturday's game - certainly you can find someone. Hey maybe whoever throws batting practice for you guys. David Huff's winning record is on the line Sunday. Speaking of domingo at 2:30 PM the USA soccer team is scheduled to most likely be beaten by Brazil in the final of our Confederations Cup.

Go Tribe!

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)