D-Backs notes: Haren, Zito still support each other

SAN FRANCISCO - Dan Haren and Barry Zito formed a bond in Oakland that neither time nor trades can destroy.

So when Zito struggled early in the year, Haren was there to commiserate and offer words of support.

The first text message Haren received after his 7-0 loss in Los Angeles on Friday was from Zito, and the two texted back and forth for 20 minutes.

“It’s funny — the things I was telling him early in the season are the same things he was telling me,” said Haren, who will make his next start Wednesday, missing pitching against Zito by a day.

“He gave me the same advice back. When you are trying to do too much, you press. He helped me a lot in ’05 (when they were teammates in Oakland). He’s always been there for me. I’m always there for him. When things are going good, we talk to each other the least.”

Haren (14-8) threw four innings Friday, his shortest start of the season, and has given up 29 earned runs in 42 1/3 innings. He and Brandon Webb have lost their last three starts apiece while pitching with little margin of error.

“Going out Wednesday, I’m going to try to have fun for the first time in a month,” Haren said.

“I’ve had points in my career where I’ve been hit around, but probably nothing this prolonged. The only thing that is sad is, there are only four more starts. I’m sure I’ll get it right before long.

“The biggest problem is, I’m trying to do too much. We (Webb and Haren) did a good job of carrying the team in May, June and July. We are a big part of why the team is where we are right now.

“There was always a lot of pressure on us, expectations. We’re trying so hard to get that eight innings, no runs, rather than just be ourselves. That’s enough. Being the pitchers we are is enough.”

UPTON BACK IN RIGHT

Justin Upton made his third consecutive start in right field Monday, his longest run since returning from a strained oblique Aug. 29.

He was 2-for-8 against the Dodgers, driving in the D-Backs’ only two runs in a 7-2 loss Saturday. He also lost a ball in the sun that fell for a run-scoring double.

He also was charged with an error when he dropped a ball while attempting to transfer it from his glove to his hand. He leads major league outfielders with 10 errors.

“He’s going to make some mistakes,” Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. “Experience comes with reps and games played.”

MAKING HIS CASE

With 11 strikeouts in five innings, Max Scherzer’s dominant performance Sunday appears certain to earn him another start. It is just a matter of when.

Scherzer and Yusmeiro Petit are the candidates to pitch the final game of the Cincinnati series on Sunday, and Scherzer’s dominant stuff — high 90 mph fastball, slider for strikes — could give him the edge.

“His fastball is so good. If he can just locate one of his two breaking balls. … When he gets on a roll, he can make good hitters look bad,” Melvin said of Scherzer. “We’ll have some internal discussions and do what we think is best.

SHORT HOPS

Stephen Drew is three doubles away from becoming the fifth shortstop in NL history with 40 doubles, 10 triples and 10 homers in the same season, joining Arky Vaughn (Pittsburgh, 1934), Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia, 2004), Jack Wilson (Pittsburgh, 2004) and Hanley Ramirez (Florida, 2006). ... Randy Johnson returned to the Valley to prepare for his Saturday start after missing Sunday with shoulder inflammation.