11 unanswered! D-backs blast their way back in NL Wild Card race?

PHOENIX -- Every game the D-backs play at this point of the season is labeled a must-win game. But after suffering a frustrating loss Tuesday that caused Arizona to drop out of the third and final National League Wild Card spot, the D-backs needed to respond loudly in the series finale with the Rockies.

Arizona did just that, erasing a four-run deficit by scoring 11 unanswered runs en route to a 12-5 win over Colorado on Wednesday afternoon at Chase Field.

• Games remaining: at CHC (4), at NYM (4), vs. CHC (3), vs. SF (2), at NYY (3), at CWS (3), vs. HOU (3)
• Standings update: The D-backs (72-68) are a half-game behind the Marlins (72-67) for the final NL Wild Card spot, and they are tied with the Reds (73-69). Miami and Cincinnati hold the tiebreaker advantage over Arizona as does San Francisco, but the D-backs can change that if they win the final two games against the Giants on Sept. 19-20.

The win not only ensured a series win over the Rockies, who have the worst record in the NL, but it also gave Arizona momentum heading into a crucial four-game road series against the Cubs, the club that’s in second place in the NL Wild Card.

“We’re on to Chicago,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “We all know what the games mean there. I don't want anybody putting extra pressure on themselves, just go out and be the best version of yourself. Do your job and we're going to be fine. But until that time, I want us to get on that plane and enjoy it.”

Wednesday’s win was a testament to the D-backs’ resilience, which is what September baseball is all about. Arizona became just the fourth team this season to win a game by at least seven runs after trailing by at least four.

Starter Zach Davies gave up four of his five runs in the first inning, putting the pressure on the D-backs’ offense, which had a quiet night on Tuesday.

Trailing 5-3 in the third inning, Alek Thomas stepped up to the plate with runners on first and second. He worked a full count before he got exactly what he was looking for from Rockies pitcher Chris Flexen.

Thomas crushed a cutter in the middle of the zone, and knew the ball was heading for the seats just by the sound of the ball leaving the bat. The homer gave Arizona a 6-5 lead, but it also provided a jolt of energy that the club needed after the lingering feeling of defeat from Tuesday night.

“I think it let us exhale a little bit, like Gabi Moreno’s home run in San Diego,” Lovullo said. “I think we were frustrated. We got banged around for four runs in the first inning, and that's not what anybody was thinking about. We were catching up … and he just put a good swing on a cut fastball. He's got just a pure short left-handed swing, and it was good to see him smile as he was running back around the bases.

“It's a huge moment for him and a bigger moment for this team.”

Everything worked well from the D-backs from that point on. The bullpen didn’t allow a hit during six innings of relief and the offense finished with 13 hits, which was a complete turnaround from Tuesday.

“You just got to keep on moving forward and not dwell on the past,” Thomas said. “That's where you get in trouble. So it's just having fun. This late in the season, sometimes we can put too much pressure on ourselves and get down on ourselves when we have a bad game. So definitely just having fun and playing loose, and good things will happen.”

The D-backs can also breathe a sigh of relief for rookie sensation Corbin Carroll, who suffered a right wrist contusion after being hit by a 93.7 mph fastball from Gavin Hollowell in the fourth inning. X-rays came back negative and Lovullo said he plans to play Carroll in this upcoming series against the Cubs.

Lovullo also announced, along with a flurry of moves after the game, that Jordan Lawlar, Arizona’s No. 1 prospect, is being called up and will join the team in Chicago.

“He'll be the starting shortstop,” Lovullo said. “And then I just want to inject him into the lineup when I can for the right matchup in the right situation.”