D-backs stay hot in roll reminiscent of World Series run

DENVER -- Exactly two years ago, the D-backs found themselves on the outside of the postseason picture looking in, and in a rut after losing their series opener to the Rockies at Coors Field. It was their 26th loss over their previous 35 games, and they were 3 1/2 games out of a National League Wild Card spot.

We all know how that season turned out: Arizona made a stunning run all the way to the World Series.

The D-backs found themselves in much the same predicament on Thursday, 5 1/2 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot as they prepared to open another series in Colorado. But the difference this time was that they were hot, winning eight of 12 games since the Trade Deadline, when they dealt sluggers Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor, as well as starter Merrill Kelly and outfielder Randal Grichuk.

Arizona’s roll continued with an 8-2 victory over the Rockies, begging the question: Could the D-backs be in the midst of another improbable hot streak that vaults them back into contention?

“It’s a long season we have,” said manager Torey Lovullo. “We have taken on a lot this year and we know that we’re playing our best baseball of the year right now. And anything is possible.”

Yes, Thursday’s victory was against a club that is threatening last year’s White Sox record of 121 losses, but it was a victory nonetheless. And it drew the D-backs a game closer to the Mets in the Wild Card standings after New York lost to Atlanta earlier in the evening.

Arizona’s lineup continued its prolific production early in games, scoring three times in the first inning on a three-run homer by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. into Colorado’s bullpen in right field. The D-backs have scored 15 first-inning runs this month, the most in the Majors.

“It’s part of our recipe, it’s part of our culture,” Lovullo said about how Arizona has jumped ahead so often. “Patience through the entire at-bat, put pressure on the pitcher to throw the ball over the plate and if you don’t get your pitch, check off on it.

“… So a real credit to what we do here from an offensive standpoint -- that’s by our hitting coaches, and they do a great job of sending their message.”

Gurriel’s homer was only the beginning. In the second, catcher Jose Herrera, who only had two career homers entering the game, launched a two-run shot over the wall in right to extend Arizona’s lead to 5-0.

In the fourth, Ketel Marte -- a late-inning hero of late -- smashed a 111.6 mph double off the wall in right to bring in two more. Corbin Carroll doubled home another run in the seventh for good measure.

That was more than enough run support for starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who bounced back from a rough outing against Colorado at Chase Field over the weekend with seven strong innings Thursday night. He gave up one run on six hits, walked one and struck out six.

Rodriguez’s season has mirrored the club’s -- in a word: inconsistent. But not on Thursday, and if he can right the ship for an extended period of time down the stretch, it would be a huge boon for the rotation.

“I was locating all my pitches,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like that was the best I’ve felt all year long. I was throwing my fastball right where I wanted, my changeup. I feel like everything was working.”

Right now, it feels like everything is working for the D-backs. They still have a steep hill to climb, but the fact that they were in this very ballpark and staring at nearly an identical situation on Aug. 14, 2023, before going on to win the NL pennant gives them confidence about what’s to come.

“I think we’re going to draw from that experience,” Lovullo said. “There’s no panic here. Nobody’s throwing in the towel. I wouldn’t allow that to happen. These guys are hungry.”

If the D-backs are going to do the improbable again, they’ll likely need great performances from unlikely sources.

So who better to ask about that than the guy who hit his third career home run in his 185th career game?

“That’s what we talk about as players between each other,” Herrera said. “… In ’23, when we made the World Series, nobody was counting on us [to be there].

“… And at the end of the year, we were playing the last game of the year.”