(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) The Cubs enjoyed a four-game stretch in which they scored 27 runs on 55 hits.

And then they had a two-game losing streak in which they could muster just one run on 10 hits.

Cubs manager Dusty Baker said it's to be expected.

"Offense is always Jekyll and Hyde," Baker said. "I don't care what team you're on.

"The offense depends a lot on if you can find holes or not. You can hit the ball great and find no holes. Or you could hit the ball terrible and get hits and score runs. A lot depends on how you're going at that time."

Baker is more concerned with the consistency of his starting pitching.

"The thing that you don't want is for your starting pitching to be Jekyll and Hyde," Baker said. "You want your starting pitching to be consistent. If that happens, you can win close games and big-scoring games. That's what it boils down to -- starting pitching."

REPLAY: The Cubs' recent hot streak in which they won five out of seven games was erased when they lost their third game in a row -- a 7-1 decision to Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park on Thursday night -- to fall to 23-36.

Tony Womack, who opened the season as Cincinnati's leadoff hitter, picked up some revenge on his former team when he hit a first-inning homer. It was his first home run since July 28, 2004, when he played for St. Louis.

But the lead was short-lived, as Cincinnati hit three home runs off left-hander Glendon Rusch en route to a 5-1 lead after four innings.

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NOTES

 --RHP Mark Prior gave up three first-inning runs in his rehab start for Double-A West Tenn against Birmingham on Thursday night but settled down and threw four shutout innings. Prior, whose fastball was in the 90-92 mph range, will make one more start for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and either will make an additional rehab start or will be ready for his first major league appearance of the year on June 18.

--RHP Kerry Wood's visit with Dr. Tim Kremchek in Cincinnati was positive. Tests showed that Wood, whom Kremchek performed shoulder surgery on last Aug. 31, was suffering through normal soreness and stiffness between starts. Wood is still listed a questionable for Sunday's game against Cincinnati.

--RHP Carlos Marmol is in line to start Sunday against Cincinnati if Kerry Wood (shoulder stiffness) cannot make the start. Marmol, who was brought up on Sunday and made two two-inning relief stints, will be held back from relief work until Sunday unless there is an emergency.

--RF Jacque Jones, who was given a start off on Wednesday against Houston because he has been experiencing back pain, was back in the lineup Thursday night against Cincinnati.

--RHP Scott Williamson (right elbow tendinitis) played catch Thursday and may make a bullpen session Sunday. The Cubs are confident he won't need more than 15 days of disabled-list time. He is eligible to come of the DL on June 19.

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