Sidewinders left fielder Trent Oeltjen makes a sliding catch in the second inning to aid the Winders in a 17-5 win Sunday.

kelly presnell / arizona daily star

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Tucson Sidewinders pitching coach Mike Parrott sees room for improvement in Max Scherzer. That makes his recent success all the more encouraging.

Despite not having his best command, Scherzer threw six scoreless innings in a 5-1 loss to Portland on Saturday night. He struck out six and lowered his ERA to 2.45, but walked a season-high four.

"He's good enough even without his good stuff and best command that he can shut down a team," Parrott said before Tucson's 17-5 victory over Portland on Sunday.

Scherzer threw 85 pitches, his highest total in an outing since he returned from shoulder inflammation on July 19. He will throw about 95 pitches in his next start Thursday in Salt Lake City, as he continues to build up his stamina en route to a possible return to the Arizona Diamondbacks later this season. The former first-round draft pick compiled a 2.90 ERA in the majors from late April to mid-June.

"If the big club was to say, 'We need him up here,' he's ready to go and do that and help out," Parrott said. "He's built up enough now with his pitches and innings. Even though he didn't show great command (Saturday), his command is good enough he can go up and locate pitches. He can be a very helpful factor to the big club if and when they need him. I'm sure they will at least by September if not sooner."

Scherzer said his arm has felt fresh, and his fastball velocity topped 97 mph and averaged 94 mph on Saturday. The bigger issue has been the consistency of his slider and change-up.

"There are certain days I have my change-up and other days I have my slider," Scherzer said.

"I had my change-up going and almost threw it too much (Saturday). First time I ever had that problem. My change-up for the most part was able to complement my fastball."

Scherzer said he missed "a couple inches here and there," leading to the walks.

"It's good to have a good outing and still have room for improvement," he said.

● Tucson finished with 22 hits. Trent Oeltjen had four hits, seven RBIs and two triples. Tim Raines Jr. had five hits.

● The Sidewinders are 4-10 against Portland this season.

● Pitcher Micah Owings, who will go to Cincinnati as part of the D-backs' trade for outfielder Adam Dunn, will throw for the Sidewinders when his "shoulder symptoms clear up," farm director A.J. Hinch said. Owings is rehabbing for stiffness in his shoulder.

● D-backs right fielder Justin Upton will remain with Tucson for a rehab assignment likely through at least the first couple games of the team's road trip to Salt Lake that starts Wednesday, manager Bill Plummer said. Upton went 2 for 6 with a two-run home run Sunday.

● The Sidewinders booster club handed out team awards, naming infielder Jamie D'Antona MVP, Oeltjen favorite player, infielder Donnie Kelly most inspirational and left-hander Evan MacLane most valuable pitcher.