Late-inning heroics becoming routine for Diamondbacks

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,” he said. “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.”

On Tuesday, the Diamondbacks erased a 5-2 deficit and wound up with a 6-5 walk-off win (sound familiar?) in 10 innings over the Cardinals at Chase Field. David Peralta led off the ninth inning with a homer to knot the game at 5. In the 10th, with offensive help from pitchers Patrick Corbin and Zack Godley, Chris Herrmann collected the winning hit off St. Louis closer Seung Hwan Oh.

It was yet another chapter in a season-long story of erasing deficits.

“We’re the kind of team where we always come to play,” Peralta said. “We have a great attitude and a great group of guys and we believe in each other and what we can do. We never give up, even if we fall behind during the game. We’re just going to keep playing until the last out.

“Last night, the big home run to tie the game and help out our team. It was a big moment.”

Lovullo having flashbacks

For first-year manager Torey Lovullo, he 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 they 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. These guys care about each other. Inside and out, they know that they’re here for a great cause. Something special happens every day that makes you believe this can continue.”

Encouraging signs for Tomas, Pollock

Injured Diamondbacks Yasmany Tomas and A.J. Pollock each had positive rehab outings on Tuesday and both showed signs of good health early Wednesday, 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.

Lovullo would not commit to either being ready for big-league action this weekend.

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Thursday’s game

Cardinals at Diamondbacks

When: 12:40 p.m.

Where: Chase Field (roof hotline: 602-462-6262).

Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (6-7, 4.89) vs. Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (5-5, 3.86).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KHOV-FM (105.1).

Corbin is 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA in his past three starts. This, after allowing 26 runs in as many innings during the month of May. He held the Phillies to one run over 6 2/3 solid innings in his previous start. Corbin has pitched seven innings only once this season, back on April 25 in a 9-3 win over the Padres. He is 5-2 in nine starts at Chase Field. … Lynn hasn’t made it through six innings in six straight starts and has allowed seven earned runs in each of his past two starts. In 15 starts, he’s already allowed a career-high 18 home runs. Cleanup hitters are only batting .176 against him, however. The Diamondbacks’ David Peralta is 5 for 7 against Lynn in his career.

Coming up

Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (8-3, 2.87) vs. Rockies RHP Jon Gray (0-0, 4.38).

Saturday: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (9-4, 3.08) vs. Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (6-8, 4.32).

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (6-3, 3.50) vs. Rockies RHP German Marquez (5-4, 4.38).