D-Backs notebook: Scherzer shines in loss to Dodgers

LOS ANGELES - On the biggest stage of his short career, Max Scherzer showed the poise and the repertoire that could make him a fixture in the Diamondbacks' future starting rotation.

Sweep by Dodgers puts D-Backs in chase mode

"I knew how big the game was," Scherzer said after pitching five innings in the D-Backs' 5-3 loss to Los Angeles.

"It was a big game for us, but for me, it didn't change anything. The mound is still 60 feet, 6 inches. I was relaxed.

"Back in the starting rotation, that's comfortable for me. It doesn't matter how well I pitch. I want the win."

Eleven of the 15 outs Scherzer recorded were strikeouts, and he struck out everyone in the Los Angeles lineup except for James Loney at least once before leaving after a walk and a single to start the sixth. He threw 94 pitches.

Loney broke his bat on a Scherzer fastball, dropping a single into short center field to drive in two runs after Andre Ethier singled and Manny Ramirez doubled off the left-field fence.

Scherzer, whose fastball registered 99 mph on the stadium radar gun, retired 12 in a row after Blake DeWitt led off the second with a single, striking out six in a row and eight out of nine in one stretch.

"That's part of the game," Scherzer said of Loney's blooper.

"That's going to happen. You just have to execute pitches. I found a rhythm, and (catcher Chris) Snyder and I had a good game plan."

"Max pitched a hell of a ballgame. He kept us in it," Snyder said.

Because of an off-day Thursday, the D-Backs rotation seems set through Randy Johnson's return Saturday, but manager Bob Melvin indicated that Scherzer would receive consideration for making another start this season.

"I haven't gotten that far yet," Melvin said.

SNYDER BUSTS OUT

Snyder hit a home run in the second inning and an RBI double in the fourth to snap a 2-for-25 skid.

"I just needed something to get me going," Snyder said.

Snyder missed a chance at another RBI when he missed a bunt attempt on a suicide squeeze play as Mark Reynolds broke from third base with one out in the sixth. Snyder has been successful on one of his three squeeze bunts this season.

"I have to do something to get the bat on the ball. It's a great call right there," said Snyder, who had a difficult pitch to bunt, a slider off the outside part of the plate.

"We're trying to add a run and keep Max in the game."

Scherzer, the next batter, likely would have left for a pinch hitter in that inning, although his spot did not come up the way the inning played out.

MEETING TIME

Melvin called the players together for a 10-minute meeting two hours before the game, and while particulars were not revealed, it was encouraging in nature.

"Keep your focus. Be positive. Sometimes the negativity of this game can creep in there," Melvin said.

"You have to combat that so it doesn't stay in there. All it takes a lot of times is one game to get the confidence back," noting that Los Angeles had lost eight in a row before beating the D-Backs on Aug. 30 to start their current eight-game winning streak.

SHORT HOPS

The D-Backs are .500 for the first time since July 25, when they were 51-51. They lost six games in the standings to the Dodgers in eight games.

D-Backs rookies were to be in for their traditional hazing on the flight to San Francisco on Sunday, but the idea was nixed, as veterans did not believe that the timing was appropriate. Among other outfits, Scherzer was to wear a black wig and black leather pants and Justin Upton was given a long-sleeved silver shirt.