Late heroics becoming routine
Perhaps no team in baseball plays with as much late-inning drama as the 2017 Diamondbacks. But from where did the flare for the dramatic arise? Manager Torey Lovullo thinks it could go back to Opening Day.
With Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner working on a perfect game in the sixth inning at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks’ bats suddenly went to work and wound up with a 6-5 walk-off win courtesy of Chris Owings.
Sure, it was only one game — the first game, actually — but it served as an ominous harbinger.
The Diamondbacks (50-28) have as many comeback wins as they do losses. That means in more than half of their victories this season, Arizona has trailed at some point.
“I think every team wants to be able to say they can fight through adversity and come from behind,” Daniel Descalso said. “Once you’ve done it a few times, you know you’re capable of doing that. If you have a hard time coming from behind, not like you’re not trying as hard but you don’t have that experience to draw on. Since we’ve had quite a few come-from-behind victories, I think when we do get down it’s not a panic.
“We know we have a good offense. We know we’re probably going to score more than a few runs in this game. If our pitching staff can keep us in it, we’re pretty confident we’re going to have a shot to at least tie it up or take the lead.”
Lovullo having flashbacks
Lovullo sees a lot of similar characteristics from this team to successful contingents he worked with in Boston.
“I feel like a lot of things are overlapping from teams I was with and a part of in Boston,” Lovullo said. “It’s about being a group that cares about each other on a level that you’ve never really experienced before.”
The Diamondbacks have been preaching a never-say-die mindset. They trust that each member of the 25-man roster will do their job and contribute. And so far, that’s the way things have gone.
“That’s what the 2013 Boston Red Sox had,” Lovullo said. “They weren’t the most talented group, but they played together and moved around in a pack of 25. That’s what I see here today.”
Good signs for Tomas, Pollock
Injured Diamondbacks Yasmany Tomas and A.J. Pollock each had positive rehab outings on Tuesday, according to Lovullo.
Rehabbing a right groin strain, Tomas played five innings and went 0 for 2 for the Diamondbacks Rookie League affiliate at Salt River Fields.
Pollock continued his rehab stint with Triple-A Reno, manning center field for six innings and recording a double in four at-bats. Pollock is scheduled to play five innings in the field on Wednesday.