DENVER -- Snakes alive!
By virtue of their 12-8 win over the Rockies on Thursday afternoon at Coors Field, the Diamondbacks achieved their goal of getting to San Diego for the final series of the regular season with their playoff hopes still alive.
“We came on this road trip knowing exactly what we needed to do, and that's win each day,” veteran catcher James McCann said. “The focus and the talk in the clubhouse has been go 1-0 every day. That's what we've done so far, and that's what we're going to look to continue to do. We can't control what other teams are doing, but we can control the way that we approach each and every day.”
The Diamondbacks still have work to do, though:
State of the race
The Cubs clinched a postseason berth by beating the Marlins on Thursday, and the Diamondbacks knew when they departed Denver for San Diego that the Padres could also clinch a spot Thursday night against the Dodgers.
But the win ensured the Diamondbacks would not be eliminated. However, they will need to win two of their final three games in San Diego and hope the Phillies lose at least two of three to the Rays.
As it currently stands, Arizona is two games behind the Phillies, who lost to the Brewers, for the third and final National League Wild Card spot.
“We know where we are right now,” left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez said. “We came here and won three games and that’s really good for us. Now we got to go [to San Diego] and win every game, too.”
A great season for E-Rod
Signed to a four-year, $80 million contract prior to the 2024 season, Rodriguez's first two years with the Diamondbacks were a disappointment, filled with injury and ineffectiveness.
This year, though, Rodriguez has become the pitcher Arizona thought it was getting.
The left-hander opened the spring by pitching Venezuela to the World Baseball Classic title and that momentum carried through a season in which he was selected to his first career All-Star Game.
“He's been the rock of our rotation,” McCann said. “Every time we've turned to him, he's come up with a big outing. Today was no different. He's been the stopper for us. He’s been the guy that when we need a big start, he takes care of business and he gives us that big start.”
Thursday, Rodriguez allowed just two runs over six innings. Manager Torey Lovullo pondered sending him back out for the seventh, but with a big lead, the manager took Rodriguez out and explained he wanted to keep him as an option in relief for Sunday against the Padres, if needed.
“If they want me, I will do whatever it takes to get into the postseason,” Rodriguez said. “Whatever they want me to be available for, I will do.”
Good signs for the offense
When the Diamondbacks lost back-to-back series against the Rangers and Marlins, the offensive struggles, particularly with runners in scoring position, were a big reason why.
A few games at Coors Field have rejuvenated the bats.
“Much better,” Lovullo said. “I think they're in a good place. They're [letting the ball travel] when they need to, having an all-field approach, targeting a certain pitch early in counts, squaring it up, not missing it.”
For the third straight game, the Diamondbacks scored early to set the tone for the game. Thursday, they blitzed Rockies starter Tanner Gordon for six runs before the right-hander could record an out.
Gabriel Moreno had a three-run homer in the inning and Nolan Arenado chipped in a two-run shot.
“It's been up and down the lineup,” said McCann, who homered in the sixth. “Different guys coming through with big hits, different guys coming up with big plays, and just carrying the positive momentum.”