D-Backs notebook: Another strong outing for Scherzer

Max Scherzer is doing his best to quell the notion that he isn't a starting pitcher.

D-Backs strand 17 runners in loss to Reds

The right-handed flamethrower had another solid outing on Sunday, giving up two hits and one run in six innings of work against the Reds.

While the Diamondbacks haven't given up on this season, they are using Scherzer's final few starts to help determine his role for next year.

Since Arizona drafted the right-hander with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 draft, debate has raged as to whether Scherzer is better suited as a starter or reliever.

He has an overpowering fastball, but a lack of secondary pitches had scouts worried about his ability to keep fooling hitters for multiple innings.

Scherzer has developed enough to continue that debate. He is 0-2 this season, but has a 3.12 ERA in five starts.

"I would like to take a hard look at him as a starter," manager Bob Melvin said. "We have to give him a chance to work on his off-speed stuff, his slider and his change-up, which I think have come a long way. If that's the case, I think he'd definitely become a starter."

Scherzer struck out nine batters on Sunday and kept the Reds at bay except for one hanging slider to Jay Bruce, who hit a solo homer in the fourth.

"I'm going out there and just trying to pitch my game," Scherzer said.

DREW OUT

Stephen Drew is in Georgia for his grandmother's funeral. He missed Sunday's game and will be back on Tuesday.

Augie Ojeda started at shortstop in his absence.

UPTON SIZZLING

Justin Upton went 4-for-5 with a homer and a double, tying the score at 1-all with a 434-foot solo blast to center field in the fifth.

He is 6-for-9 in his last two games with a homer and three doubles, and is hitting .375 (12-for-32) since returning from the disabled list (strained oblique) on Aug. 29. The home run was Upton's first since July 6.

The four hits set a career high for Upton. He singled to put runners on the corners with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, but Chris Young struck out to end it.

"(Upton) is swinging great," Melvin said.

RAUCH STRUGGLING

After pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's win, right-hander Jon Rauch's struggles with the Diamondbacks continued on Sunday.

He gave up the winning run on a homer by Corey Patterson in the 10th inning, dealing Rauch his third loss in his last four appearances.

Rauch had a 2.98 ERA and 17 saves for the Nationals this year before being acquired by the Diamondbacks for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. He is 0-6 with a 6.33 ERA in 24 appearances for Arizona.

SHORT HOPS

Conor Jackson could be available to pinch hit today and he could rejoin the lineup on Tuesday if his sore rotator cuff keeps improving. ... Without Drew or Jackson in the lineup, the Diamondbacks didn't have a starter batting .250 when the game started. Justin Upton was the closest at .247. ... Brandon Lyon set the side down in order in the seventh inning of a 1-1 game in his new role as a setup man. Lyon was demoted from closer on Saturday.