Following another empty 0-for-4 night in a 7-1 loss to Cincinnati on Tuesday that dropped the 2013 NL MVP's average to .185 and extended Pittsburgh's losing streak to four, McCutchen acknowledged that his typical slow start is becoming something more alarming. There's plenty of blame to go around in a lineup that has now left 46 runners on base during its four-game slide, including nine against Cincinnati rookie starter Michael Lorenzen and a trio of relievers. Starling Marte's solo home run in the second provided the entirety of the Pittsburgh offense. Not exactly the way to help out Jeff Locke (2-2), who struggled early before getting through seven innings, giving up four run on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts. The Pirates limped through the first month last season before roaring to a second straight playoff berth. Todd Frazier belted his National League-leading ninth home run for Cincinnati while rookie Michael Lorenzen (1-1) worked six-plus innings for his first major league victory. Pittsburgh righted itself temporarily at the start of a nine-game road trip last week, but dropped two of three to the Chicago Cubs before three walkoff losses in St.