ATLANTA -- The D-backs spent more time in rush hour traffic going from their hotel to Sun Trust Park than they did on the field Thursday, as rain ended their on-field batting practice after 10 minutes and sent them scurrying for the batting tunnels.
Regardless, they said they'll be ready to go when they open the second half of the season Friday night against the Braves.
The D-backs trail the Dodgers by 7 1/2 games in the National League West, but they lead the Rockies by two games for the top Wild Card spot and are up 9 1/2 games over the Cubs and Cardinals.
"We've got a long way to go," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "The way I've asked these guys to look at it, the way I look at it personally, we can't concern ourselves with who's in front of us or who's behind us, we just have to do what we do the way we know how to do it. I know there's a long, long way to go and a lot of baseball to be played. Anything is a possibility."
Including catching the Dodgers, which is something his players have not given up on.
Setup man Archie Bradley seemed to bristle at the notion that the D-backs are too far behind the Dodgers to catch them.
"I pay attention to baseball," Bradley said. "I don't read every article and stuff. But just seeing -- not that we need bulletin-board material -- but hearing people already saying the Dodgers have stuff locked up and we're fighting for a Wild Card. I think we play them another nine times. But really, it's not anything to do with them. It's us. That's our goal to go win the division. That's what everyone in here wants to do. Hearing some of those comments, they kind of get at you a little bit. I'm just ready to play baseball. It was a nice little break, but I think we're all ready."
A break for the All-Stars
Lovullo told the team's All-Star representatives -- first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, third baseman Jake Lamb and pitchers Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray -- not to come to the ballpark Thursday.
That was only fair, Lovullo said, since they did not have any time off. Monday, they took batting practice, Tuesday was the game and Wednesday was a travel day, so Thursday was their lone chance to have a complete off-day.
No timetable on Tomas
Outfielder Yasmany Tomas, who is on the disabled list with a right groin strain, is not close to returning to action.
"I think he's just slowly beginning the process of getting back on his feet and doing baseball activity or some really, really light baseball activity," Lovullo said.