Written by Adam Burke

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It's too bad that Jack Kevorkian is dead. The Indians could probably use him to end this season. The Indians horrendous month of August continued with another lifeless defeat filled with mistakes, "WTF" moments, and next to no offense. Three of the Indians four runs scored on outs. I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. One day after Jason Kipnis got up on a soapbox and preached about accountability, the Indians played without any, losing to Oakland 6-4 on Wednesday night on Puppypalooza night. No word on if the dogs began begging their masters about leaving the game early.

Before the game began, Shelley Duncan was designated for assignment and Jeanmar Gomez was promoted. My sources claim that Duncan ran screaming from the clubhouse, dancing and jumping around in the corridors underneath the stands at Progressive Field, completely thrilled to not have to show up for the nightly circus that the Indians have become. I cannot confirm or deny such reports.

In any event, the Indians actually had a 2-0 lead in this game, as Jason Donald broke the 24-inning run-less drought with his second home run of the season. Ezequiel Carrera followed with a triple and scored on a RBI groundout from Jason Kipnis. That was it for the offense for quite a while from the Indians.

Asdrubal Cabrera was thrown out of the game in the first inning for arguing balls and strikes. Personally, I think he was just trying to get out of the lineup. (Thanks Bob Uecker in Major League 2). Anyway, Cabrera found a new way to leave the ballpark early, as he's been mentally checking out before the start of every game over the last month and a week.

I realize that these game recaps sound increasingly more cynical and make it sound like I hate the Indians. That's not the case. I hate what the Indians have become this season. They've become an apathetic group of guys who simply cannot cut it at the big league level. Somewhere around eight or nine guys would actually be on big league rosters for other teams and get consistent playing time. That's about it. It's hard to watch, both for casual observers and season tickets, along with everyone else in between. There's no excuse for losing 22 out of 27 games in a month. Hell, the month's not even over yet and it could get worse. No matter what, I'll still be in my usual spot for the Home Opener next season, along with 40,000 other people, and will probably find a way to create optimism towards the 2013 season. But, for right now, I reserve the right to whine, moan, and complain.

-end rant-

Back to the game, Josh "Who the Eff is That Guy?" Donaldson hit a go-ahead three-run home run for the A's off Corey Kluber in the fourth inning and the A's never looked back. They added a single unearned run in the sixth off of Kluber, and then two more in the seventh off Cory Allen. Kluber threw a "quality start", by definition. He gave up four runs, only three earned, on eight hits over six innings. He did strike out seven and didn't allow a walk, so, that was a step in the right direction.

In the eighth inning, the Athletics took a page from the Indians book. Shin-Soo Choo walked, Lou Marson singled, and then Michael Brantley chopped a grounder to third. Donaldson ran Choo back toward the bag instead of going for the double play and, somehow, fumbled the ball and kicked it into center field. Choo went to third and the Tribe had the bases loaded with nobody out. Brent Lillibridge popped a ball to center, which was caught by Coco Crisp, but he smartly kept everyone in the ballpark from laughing at him by simply throwing it to the cut-off man. It was now a 6-3 game. Jerry Blevins entered from the bullpen and immediately uncorked a wild pitch to send Marson to third and Brantley to second. Casey Kotchman grounded out to second to plate another run. Donald grounded out to end the inning.

Vinnie Pestano, who has not gotten consistent work, struggled again tonight. Stephen Drew doubled to deep center and Yoenis Cespedes singled off Pestano's ankle and in to left field to plate a run and push the lead back to 7-4. After a ground out moved Cespedes to third, Josh Reddick doubled to tack on another insurance run and the Indians lost 8-4.

With the loss, the Indians fell to 55-75. Corey Kluber lost again and he's now 0-3.

Stat of the Night: The Indians scored four runs for the first time since August 18!

Player of the Game: Jason Donald was the only Indian with two hits, including a home run. He also made a terrible error in the field.

Tomorrow's Game: With a 12:05 start time, Justin Masterson battles Jarrod Parker as the Indians try to avoid the sweep.