DENVER -- The Diamondbacks are inching ever closer to their goal: Get to San Diego this weekend still alive in the postseason chase.
Arizona took advantage of a first inning error by Rockies left fielder Zac Veen to score four unearned runs and that was all it took to beat Colorado, 5-3, on Wednesday at Coors Field.
The Diamondbacks are still alive, but they still have a narrow path to the postseason:
Where the race stands
The win meant the Diamondbacks could not be eliminated, and the Phillies’ and Cubs’ losses pulled Arizona to within three games of the third National League Wild Card with four games left on the schedule.
After the Diamondbacks finish their series with the Rockies, they will close the regular season with three against the Padres in San Diego. The Phillies meanwhile have one more game left against the Brewers before playing host to the Rays for their final three regular-season games, while the Cubs wrap up their season with one more game against the Marlins and three in Boston against the Red Sox.
(The Padres, who are also in competition for a Wild Card spot, were still playing the Dodgers when the Diamondbacks game ended.)
Going to the ‘pen
The bullpen has been a huge strength for the Diamondbacks this year as opposed to recent years, and manager Torey Lovullo has vowed to be quick to get his starter out of the game.
That was again the case Wednesday, when Merrill Kelly, who had allowed just two runs, was yanked after a one-out, broken-bat single in the sixth.
Justin Martinez retired the next two Rockies to finish the inning.
Just enough offense
Veen's error opened the door and the Arizona offense burst through it.
Gabriel Moreno and Nolan Arenado each had an RBI single in the inning, while Corbin Carroll drove home a pair with a triple.
With the triple, Carroll became just the second player in MLB history to record 60-plus triples and 100-plus homers within his first 640 career games, joining Lou Gehrig.