By Gregg Hoffmann

Errors, strikeouts, stranded runners and blown opportunities have all been part of the Brewers' slump. Fans can accept them, if they know players who are giving their best and are involved in the game are committing them.

But, two plays this week, by two of the team's best players, were intolerable. First, Geoff Jenkins, apparently unaware of how many were out, did not even make an attempt to throw out a runner trying to score from third base on a medium to short fly ball to left.

Then on Thursday, first baseman Richie Sexson, apparently unaware of the count or just zoning out like a dumb fake blonde, failed to cover first after catcher Raul Casanova dropped a third strike against the Dodgers.

Casanova was charged with a passed ball, even though he easily could have thrown out the runner if Sexson had covered the bag. The Dodgers went on to score the winning runs in an 8-6 decision, the Brewers' sixth straight loss.

The fans need not tolerate such mental errors. Manager Davey Lopes should not tolerate them. In fact, the players should be fined.

Jenkins and Sexson signed long term contracts with the Brewers this spring. Both are being looked to as team leaders. Making such dumb mistakes indicates a lack of involvement and intensity. Do you think Paul Molitor would ever have been so mentally out of it?

Fans can accept physical mistakes or shortcomings, but mental errors, committed apparently because of a lack of concentration and involvement, should not be tolerated. Come on guys. The fans deserve better.

Here are five things, in order of feasibility, which could make the Brewers better:

1. Trade Curtis Leskanic or David Weathers for somebody who can hit in the clutch. Rumors have circulated about Weathers, who can be a free agent after this season, for several weeks.

The Journal Sentinel recently reported Weathers was close to signing an extension with the Brewers, but the veteran pitcher then told announcer Jim Powell that the two sides were not close. If no progress is made, Weathers could be dealt.

I would rather see Leskanic traded. He will never be consistent and always will give up too many walks and homers for a closer.

2. Trade an infielder. This has been made harder to do with the injury to Tyler Houston, but deal Mark Loretta, Jose Hernandez or Ron Belliard and play Mike Coolbaugh at third base until Houston is ready to come off the DL.

3. Call up Lance Painter. The bullpen has gone too long with only one lefty, and Ray King is fatigued. Painter hasn't been that impressive at Indianapolis, but maybe he could rise to the occasion in his hometown.

4. Trade Jeromy Burnitz. This is very unlikely to happen. That's why it is listed fourth. But, Burnitz could bring a starting pitcher or a more consistent run producer that doesn't strike out as much.

5. Fire Davey Lopes and hire Felipe Alou. This will not happen, at least not this season.

But, it is very questionable whether Lopes has control of his team right now. Alou is a proven major league manager.

Nobody deserves this honor, but give it to Belliard, who hit more consistently than any other player all week.

Sexson's blunder in L.A. typified how the Brewers played all week -- out of it.

Jenkins and Sexson can share this dubious honor for their mental mistakes.

P-uuuuuuuuuuuu. That's the review of the week in one, questionably spelled word. Hopefully, the weekend will turn out better in San Diego.

After that series, the Brewers come home for almost two weeks. It would be a shame to continue to stink it up in front of big crowds again at Miller Park.