D-backs giving Cahill time to improve

PHOENIX -- The D-backs are standing behind starter Trevor Cahill.

Cahill, who allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Giants in his last start, is scheduled to take the mound Sunday against the Dodgers in the series finale. D-backs manager Kirk Gibson downplayed the notion that Sunday's start is a "make-or-break" outing for Cahill when he was asked.

"We are all confident Trevor has good stuff and he can apply it," Gibson said. "He's been really good about being open to suggestions. He really hasn't been as consistent as he wants to yet. I think we are doing things a little bit different this year so it's been a lot for him to handle."

Cahill, who was acquired from the A's in a trade in 2011, has pitched a total of 13 2/3 innings in this three starts this season. He is being paid $7.7 million for this season and is owed $12 million for 2015.

"I just have to trust my stuff and see what happens," Cahill said. "If I was 6-0 and had a couple of bad starts it would not be as big of a deal, but I had a bad spring and that didn't help, either. It is what is. I'm not going to be a different person. I'm going to continue to work hard and go out there and do my best. It's all I can do."

The D-backs would like Cahill to simplify his approach on the mound and avoid overanalyzing situations. The club would also like the pitcher to aware of his pace during games, maintain a good tempo and "throw his pitches with conviction."

"We just see him repeating his delivery more and making progress," Gibson said. "You guys have seen him throw some great games, but we need to see him do that consistently and give us a chance to win ballgames."