PHOENIX -- When it comes to chances to control their own destiny in games with postseason implications, the Reds often get chaotic results. That's usually because the other contending teams also fighting for the same prize are good, too.

The rookie-laden Cincinnati club had some big performances while facing their fellow National League Wild Card contender, the D-backs, on Thursday. But after scratching out a lead in the top of the eighth inning, the Reds gave it right back in the bottom half on Corbin Carroll's two-run home run for a 3-2 loss at Chase Field.

“It felt like we were going to come out on top in that game. That’s why you give the D-backs credit there to battle back and win," Reds manager David Bell said.

With the loss, the 67-62 Reds saw Arizona leapfrog them for the third NL Wild Card berth by a half-game. Cincinnati, which swept the D-backs at home in last month's three-game series, needs just one more win to secure the season series for what could be an all-important tiebreaker.

A rookie starter experiencing his first playoff race and needed to help give a worn bullpen a break, lefty Brandon Williamson gave the Reds six scoreless innings with six hits, one walk and six strikeouts.

“Brandon Williamson gave us everything we needed, and more," Bell said.

But Williamson dueled against Merrill Kelly, who retired 21 of 22 batters with rookie Noelvi Marte's lined double to left field in the third inning being the blemish on an otherwise perfect game.

“I just pitched. I didn’t try to put any extra stress on it," Williamson said. "I went out and tried to throw as many good, quality pitches I could. You do that -- playoffs or not -- that’s how you get the best results.”

A right hamstring cramp stopped Kelly's night before the top of the eighth inning and Arizona brought in lefty reliever Kyle Nelson.

Freshly recalled on Thursday following an Aug. 11 demotion to Triple-A Louisville, Nick Senzel did not shrink from the opportunity when summoned to pinch-hit. Senzel lifted Nelson's 1-2 pitch into the left-field bullpen.

“That was special for me, for a lot of reasons," said Senzel, who entered the night 2-for-22 with no RBIs as a pinch-hitter.

A veteran who debuted in 2019, Senzel did not see the demotion to Triple-A coming.

"I was bummed but that was the situation. I had to deal with it," he said. "I had no expectations about coming back up but I’m up. I love the guys in the locker room. We’ve been through a lot this year. I want to play meaningful games and help them win games."

With one out, Marte walked and stole second base with two outs. Against righty Miguel Castro, Tyler Stephenson's RBI single gave the Reds a one-run lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Alex Young walked leadoff batter Lourdes Gurriel Jr. before Carroll batted with one out and lifted a 2-2 breaking ball into the right-field seats.

“There’s never a good way to lose a game," Bell said. "At the same time, you do look deeper. Some of the things we did there at the end of the game to give ourselves a chance -- stealing bases and not being afraid -- there’s no fear. We’re ready for any situation that comes up, looking for ways to win games."

In mid-July while playing the Brewers for first place in the NL Central, the Reds went 2-7. During a big four-game series against the Cubs, they took the first game and dropped the next three.

The Brewers have built a four-game lead on the third-place Reds in the division. The Cubs are in second place, a game ahead of the Reds, and also hold the second NL Wild Card spot. The Giants and Reds are even in the Wild Card race. Those two teams meet next week in San Francisco.

It's a lot to handle for a young team in a pennant race.

“We’re really focusing on what got us to this point," Bell said. "We’re nearing the end of the season. We still have a long way to go. This is the fun part of the year. This is where you can take it to another level and see the end a little bit. I’m excited to see how much better we can get between now and the end of the season and see where that puts us at the end.”