--RHP Max Scherzer, filling in for LHP Randy Johnson, struck out a career-high 11 batters in his fourth start of the season but did not receive a decision in a 5-3 loss. He tossed five innings of one-run ball. Scherzer's fastball registered 99 mph on the Dodger Stadium scoreboard in the first inning and hit 98 in the fifth inning. "I was relaxed. Back in the starting rotation, that's comfortable." Manager Bob Melvin said he would consider starting Scherzer again down the stretch.
--C Chris Snyder had a home run and an RBI double to break out of a 2-for-25 skid. His two RBIs equaled the number he had in that streak. "I just needed something to get me going," Snyder said. --The D-backs had a 4 1/2-game cushion over Los Angeles in the NL West after winning the opening game of a three-game series at Chase Field on Aug. 29 but have lost the last five games between the two, enabling the Dodgers to win the season series 10-8. The Dodgers gained six games in the division race in nine days as the D-backs lost 10 of their last 13 games. The D-backs (71-71) are .500 for the first time since July 25.
--Manager Bob Melvin called the players together for a 10-minute meeting two hours before Sunday's 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."
--The D-backs have had their difficulties with San Francisco RHP Tim Lincecum, who is scheduled to start Monday in the first game of a three-game series at AT&T Park. Lincecum (15-3, 2.60), a top candidate for the NL Cy Young Award, is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four career starts against the D-backs, striking out 35 in 28 innings.
--OF/1B Adam Dunn hit third in the lineup Sunday, his first time out of the cleanup spot since joining the D-backs, as manager Bob Melvin attempted to shake things up for a team that had scored 38 runs in its previous 12 games. Dunn had a double to left field and a home run to left-center field and is hitting .284 with six doubles, four homers and 15 RBIs in 24 games with the D-backs. With the 5-3 loss, Arizona has as many as four runs only four times in the past 13 games.
--SS Stephen Drew is the second player in franchise history to have double-digit doubles, triples and home runs in the same season. OF Steve Finley did it in 1999 and 2003.
BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Players in franchise history with seasons that included double-digit doubles, triples and homers: Stephen Drew (2008) and Steve Finley (1999, 2003).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Offensively, he's growing at the rate we felt he could. Defensively, he's as solid as anyone in the league." -- D-backs third base and infield coach Chip Hale, on SS Stephen Drew's breakout season.
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