Thomas, Gurriel help the Diamondbacks rally for a 5-4 win over the sinking Padres

PHOENIX (AP) — Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been right in the middle of many of the best moments for the Diamondbacks this year.

It's no coincidence that when the All-Star's bat hit the skids midway through the season, Arizona's record started to plummet.

But Gurriel and the D-backs might have got back on track Sunday, when the outfielder delivered a pinch-hit, two-run homer that helped Arizona rally for a 5-4 win over the sinking San Diego Padres.

“He just needs to be the best version of himself,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said of Gurriel. "He needs to understand what he is, who he is and how he fits into the lineup. Just be himself. He doesn't need to carry the other 12 position players, he's one of 13.

“When he walks into the box with a plan, he's got a really good swing.”

The D-backs took two of three games from the Padres with both teams hanging around the fringe of the National League wild-card race. Arizona pushed back to .500 at 59-59 while San Diego fell to 56-62.

The Padres have lost six of their last seven.

“We’ve had some tough losses this year, but this is as tough of a loss as we’ve had, based on where we are, who we’re playing and what every game means right now," Padres manager Bob Melvin said.

The Diamondbacks trailed 4-2 in the seventh, but Gurriel — pinch-hitting for Jose Herrera — hit a full-count, changeup over the left field fence off Nick Martinez to tie the game. It was the first pinch-hit homer of the 29-year-old's career.

“You should always be ready, any time you're on the bench,” Gurriel said through an interpreter. “Because at any point, a situation like this can happen.”

In the eighth, Christian Walker hit a one-out single and then moved to third on another single by Gabriel Moreno.