D-Backs looking to hold serve at home

Six years ago, the Diamondbacks dropped the first two games of the National League Division Series in Milwaukee only to rally to win the next two at Chase Field to force a Game 5 against the Brewers.

They’re hoping they can do the same this week, and right-hander David Hernandez, a reliever on that 2011 team, said he recalls the effects playing back at Chase Field had on that team.

“The fact that we were able to relax,” Hernandez said. “We came home to our home field and the excitement that the crowd brought – I remember the feeling that it gave us. We gave ourselves a chance, and that’s what we’re trying to do. One pitch at a time, one inning at a time, and we’ll go from there.”

One difference from 2011 is that the Diamondbacks won’t be returning home in hopes of getting their offense jumpstarted. They’ve scored a respectable 10 runs in two games, launching six home runs. This time, the onus will fall on their pitching staff.

“As far as the two games in LA, we probably swung the bats as well or probably better than we thought we would,” Hernandez said. “We put up some runs. I think it’s time for the pitching staff to step up and put up some zeroes, let our guys relax and get the crowd into it.

Owings works toward return

Chris Owings was hoping to be on the wild-card-game roster but was left off. The same thing happened for the division-series roster. But the Diamondbacks infielder continues to work toward a possible return, should the club advance to the league championship series.

Owings has been logging time at Salt River Fields, the club’s spring-training facility, participating in instructional league games. Outfielder Yasmany Tomas has also been active, though the Diamondbacks aren’t viewing him as a potential option for the postseason.

“We want to maximize all of our chances for roster construction,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I don’t think Yasmany is going to be available for that. I think he’s just testing himself to find out where he’s at baseball-wise.

“C.O. is a legitimate candidate to be on the roster for the next round, and we’re asking him to step up in that environment and do everything he possibly can to get ready as fast as he possibly can.”

Owings has been out since July 30 with a broken right middle finger suffered when he was hit by a pitch.

Picking battles

The Dodgers stole four bases in five attempts in Saturday’s Game 2, and the Diamondbacks have thrown four wild pitches in the two games, giving the Dodgers additional opportunities to move up on the bases.

Lovullo gave the Dodgers credit for taking what was in front of them but said he imagines the situation could be different if the Diamondbacks were able to jump to a lead in Game 3. He said some of the Dodgers’ steals on Saturday could be explained by the fact the Diamondbacks were more focused on making pitches than controlling the running game.

“When you’re playing the type of baseball they are (with the lead),” he said, “you can take some chances and you can run into outs, and it’s not going to be as devastating as it would if we were to when we’re behind. So I think the best thing we can do is get ahead, stay ahead and kind of make them preserve their outs.”

Corbin eager for Game 4 start

If the team is able to force a Game 4 for starter Patrick Corbin, the Diamondbacks left-hander says he plans on pitching aggressively, something he thinks his team did not do consistently through the series first two games.

“I think we kind of pitched around some guys sometimes here and there and weren’t really aggressive,” Corbin said. “So it’s something that I think I’ll try to do. Just try to pitch my game, be aggressive in the zone and just try to let them put the ball in play and pitch to my strengths.”

Corbin hasn’t appeared in any of the Diamondbacks’ three postseason games and hasn’t pitched since a 2 2/3-inning relief stint on Sept. 29. It will be a 10-day layoff if he starts on Tuesday night.

Corbin said he’s been throwing bullpens when possible, but since he’s been available in relief in each of the three postseason games it’s been tricky figuring out times to throw on the side.