by Rob Biertempfel , Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Kind of like the whole season wrapped up into a game," manager John Russell said after the Pirates were smothered, 6-0, by the Cincinnati Reds. "That will be a big emphasis next year, getting RBI when they're out there."

The Pirates got 11 hits ? all but one of them singles ? but went 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position. They stranded 13 baserunners en route to their major league-leading 17th shutout loss of the season.

By dropping their final two games, the Pirates finished 62-99. It's their fewest victories since 2001 (62-100) and the seventh time in the past 10 seasons the Pirates have won fewer than 70 games.

"Take away the wins and losses ? which you can't, because that's what we're about ? individually, I think some of our guys made some good strides this year," Russell said.

One such player was rookie Andrew McCutchen, who was called up in June and started all but one game the rest of the way. Yesterday, he went 2 for 3 to raise his batting average to .286. McCutchen also stole two bases, giving him 21 in just half a season.

"I had a pretty good year, more ups than downs," McCutchen said. "I'm right where I want to be. Hopefully, we'll be able to stay together and get better."

McCutchen is certain to be the starting center fielder on Opening Day in 2010. Other players are in limbo as the offseason begins.

Catcher Ryan Doumit ended another injury-plagued season on the bench due to a concussion. Third baseman Andy LaRoche, the team leader with only 64 RBI, went 0 for 5, including three strikeouts. Brandon Moss hit .236 and failed to grab hold of the job in right field.

This season, the Pirates revamped their infield ? trading away their veteran second baseman, shortstop and first baseman ? and added a handful of contenders for rotation spots.

"A lot of changes," Russell said. "I'm very pleased with a lot of the talent we acquired. It kind of grew as we went along. We saw some individual improvement. There are some positives. Now, we've got to equate that to a team that can win some games."

It would help if they can find ways to score some runs.

The Pirates wasted three scoring opportunities in the first five innings against righty Homer Bailey.

They failed in the first inning after putting runners on first and second with one out. In the third, the Pirates had runners on second and third with one out. But Lastings Milledge was thrown out at home on Delwyn Young's comebacker to the mound, and Luis Cruz flew out.

Steve Pearce began the fifth with a triple off the left-field wall ? just his second three-bagger in 342 at-bats in the majors. McCutchen walked. But LaRoche, Garrett Jones and Milledge struck out.

The Pirates also left the bases loaded in the seventh.

The Reds manufactured single runs in the first and third innings. Each time, Drew Stubbs singled and was brought home by Brandon Phillips ? first on a double, the next time on a ground out.

Right-hander Jeff Karstens (4-6) started on short rest and worked 2.1 innings. He allowed two runs on four hits.

Cincinnati iced the game with a four-run fifth inning. Donnie Veal, a Rule 5 pickup who will likely begin next season in the minors, walked Janish then allowed four straight hits.

How they scored

Reds first inning (Jeff Karstens pitching): Drew Stubbs singled to left field. Paul Janish sacrifice bunt to pitcher, Stubbs to second. Joey Votto walked. Brandon Phillips doubled to right, Stubbs scored, Votto to third. Reds 1, Pirates 0

Reds third: Stubbs singled to left. With one out, Votto singled to left, Stubbs to third. (Steven Jackson pitching) Wild pitch, Stubbs to third, Votto to second. Phillips grounded out to shortstop, Stubbs scored, Votto to third. Reds 2, Pirates 0

Reds fifth (Donnie Veal pitching): With one out, Janish walked and stole second. Votto singled to second, Janish to third. Phillips doubled to right, Janish scored, Votto to third. Scott Rolen tripled to center, Votto and Phillips scored. Jay Bruce singled to center, Rolen scored. Reds 6, Pirates 0

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