"Our bullpens have been consistently inconsistent," said Shapiro.

Yet that's a worry for tomorrow. Right now, the Indians are trying to save their season, which isn't going to be accomplished reviewing hours of videotape and re-reading old scouting reports.

Thy Indians are taking a more direct approach to fixing a bullpen that entered Wednesday night's game against Boston leading the AL with seven blown saves and 17 homers allowed. They moved undefeated starter Aaron Laffey (2-0, 4.09) into the pen and recalled Jeremy Sowers from Class AAA Columbus to take his spot in the rotation. Sowers will start against Boston tonight.

Laffey produced immediate results by getting a three-inning save in Wednesday night's 9-2 victory over the Red Sox.

The Indians optioned Rafael Perez, their overmatched lefty set-up man, to Columbus and promoted veteran right-hander Matt Herges from Columbus. Shapiro said Perez wasn't sent down before this because they were showing respect for what he had done over the past two years.

Those days are over.

"We still respect everything every guy has done here," said Shapiro, "but over the last five to seven days we've reached a point where we're going to right our bullpen and feelings are not going to get in the way of that."

Shapiro said he'll talk to other teams about trades and search the waiver wire. He'll keep talking to available free agents.

"But the reality is, we have to find the alternatives internally," he said.

Shapiro said he's not beyond converting another starter, such as Hector Rondon at Class AA Akron, to the bullpen if it can help the big-league club.

"I'm not saying no to anything," said Shapiro. "We'll still be methodical in our decision making, but our considerations are open to everything."

Manager Eric Wedge told Laffey on Wednesday about the move.

"He was a great teammate about it," said Wedge.

As for why he picked Laffey, Wedge said: "He gets ground balls, he's athletic and he can warm up fast. I won't hesitate to use him late in the game."

Laffey did some relief work in his first three years in the minors. In Game 6 of the 2007 ALCS against Boston, he pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.

"We're asking Laffey to sacrifice for the team because that's where we need him the most," said Shapiro. "He doesn't deserve to be pulled out of the rotation, but we're trying to put him in a role that helps the team.

"If there were easier logical alternatives at Triple-A, we'd make those moves, but they just don't exist."

The Indians think Perez (0-1, 15.19) might have a dead arm because of the World Baseball Classic. Scouts say his slider, his best pitch, has no downward action in the strike zone.

"He just needs to go pitch," said Wedge. "He needs to pitch two or three innings at a time."

Herges, 39, was 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 appearances with Columbus. When Greg Aquino was injured, Herges stepped in as closer and saved four games in five chances. He struck out seven, walked five and allowed 12 hits in 10 innings. The opposition was hitting .316 against him.

Sowers was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts at Columbus. He had 22 strikeouts, while allowing five walks, six runs and 23 hits in 24 innings. The opposition is hitting .240 against him.

Wedge said the Indians would make a move to create a spot for Sowers after Wednesday's game.

What about the coach?

There has been a lot of speculation among fans that the firing of bullpen coach Luis Isaac at the end of last season is the reason why this year's pen is struggling.

Chuck Hernandez, a veteran pitching coach, was hired to replace Isaac.

"I don't think that has anything to do with it," said Shapiro. "Right now we have to figure out how to get better here, and Chuck is a big part of that. With his experience and background, he can be a valuable asset."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158