Pollock's 21st HR helps knock LA out of first

Soon-to-be free agent makes most of D-backs' home finale

September 27th, 2018

PHOENIX -- Every now and again on Wednesday night, center fielder A.J. Pollock took a moment to look around and soak in what potentially was his final game at Chase Field in a D-backs uniform.
A free agent at season's end, the veteran didn't let nostalgia distract from the task at hand, though, as he hit a key three-run homer in a 7-2 win over the Dodgers that knocked the D-backs' rivals out of first place in the National League West.
Pollock, 30, was selected by the D-backs in the first round of the 2009 Draft and has appeared in 635 games since reaching the big leagues in 2012.
"I definitely took a couple of moments of reflecting," Pollock said. "You never know what's going to happen in this game. I'm just extremely grateful for my time here. I love Arizona. I've been here, it's been home for me for many years and this organization I've been here for almost 10 years. Just a lot of people here that I really appreciate. You never know. We'll see what happens."
The D-backs assured themselves of at least a .500 record, but more importantly they inflicted damage to the playoff chances of their division nemesis as the Dodgers fell one-half game behind the Rockies.

"You always want to finish up strong," Pollock said. "It's been a really tough month for us, to say the least, but our last home game here we came out and played some really good baseball."
The D-backs began September in first place, but -- starting with getting swept at Dodger Stadium -- they slumped badly and were officially eliminated from the postseason race after last Sunday's loss to the Rockies.
Since then, the D-backs managed to take two of three from the Dodgers, their first series win since they won both games of a two-game set against the Angels Aug. 21-22.
"These guys played with a purpose," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "Somebody asked me about four or five days ago what was our goal. These last three games at home, I think that was a common goal for all these guys, and I'm proud of them that they did that."

The D-backs led, 3-2, before Pollock blew things open with his three-run homer with two outs in the fifth. The homer was his 21st, a career high.
"I think the three-run homer by A.J. was a really decisive blow, and it came at a huge time," Lovullo said. "We hope it's not [his last home game]. I hope it's not, personally speaking. I've enjoyed everything that I've ever seen out of A.J. He's full-throttle all the time, and it was a special day for him."
and also went deep, providing more than enough support for Zack Greinke, who allowed two runs over six innings to finish the season 15-11 with a 3.21 ERA. He struck out six to finish with 199.
"Zack Greinke was outstanding," Lovullo said.

SOUND SMART
The D-backs drew 2,242,695 fans to Chase Field this year, the 10th highest in team history and the best since drawing 2,509,924 in 2008.
HE SAID IT
"This is a special place for me. It's been a special time. It was good to get the win. Obviously it makes everyone feel good, and I'll always remember, if this is it, that I went out at home here with a nice win against a very good team." -- Pollock
UP NEXT
The D-backs take Thursday off before closing out the 2018 season with a three games against the Padres at Petco Park. Left-hander (11-7, 3.23 ERA) will start Friday's 7:10 p.m. MST opener in what could be the impending free agent's final start in a D-backs uniform. The Padres will counter with rookie left-hander (6-7, 4.60), who held the D-backs to one run on seven hits in five innings for the win at Chase Field on July 5.