Youngsters impress as D-backs end skid

For only the third time in the past 21 games, the D-backs got to celebrate when the game was over. A 5-2 win over the Dodgers at Chase Field snapped a five-game losing streak and mathematically kept their postseason hopes alive, but just barely.

Results still matter when it comes to the final score, because regardless of where you’re at in the standings, no one likes to lose. And if you know anything about general manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo, you understand that goes double for them.

• Box score

And if you want to be part of the group of players that helps turn things around for the D-backs in 2021, this is your chance to show what you can do. The only difference when it comes to individual performance is the focus is less on the numbers and more on the approach.

That applies to position players like Daulton Varsho, Josh Rojas, Pavin Smith, Josh VanMeter, Tim Locastro and Wyatt Mathisen. Varsho had a go-ahead RBI triple Thursday, while VanMeter doubled and made a nice defensive play in his first game with the D-backs since coming over in the trade that sent Archie Bradley to the Reds.

“We’re watching performance in the sense of guys going up there and having the at-bats we need to have in these moments,” Hazen said. “Every single game we play, every single inning we play, is important. These guys [are] coming up here and showing the people that will be making decisions. Not so much in aggregate numbers, there’s no expectation for that, it’s more about how they’re playing the game, it’s more about where are they at in the process of becoming a big league player? Are they going to sustain that consistency? Those are the things we are watching.”

Plenty of pitchers are trying to make an impression as well, such as:

• Rookie right-hander Riley Smith, who got a prolonged look Thursday night by going 3 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up his first big league win in his third career appearance.

• Left-hander Travis Bergen, who the D-backs acquired at the Trade Deadline in the deal that sent Robbie Ray to the Blue Jays, relieved Smith and picked up his first Major League save by recording the final two outs.

• Left-hander Caleb Smith, who the D-backs got from the Marlins as part of the return for Starling Marte, will be recalled from the alternate training site to start Friday night against the Mariners.

• Right-hander Kevin Ginkel, who pitched well the final month of last season, is getting a look as the team’s closer.

And the list goes on when it comes to Arizona's pitchers.

With opportunity comes pressure for both the position players and pitchers, and how they handle that is another aspect of how they’ll be evaluated. Because in Hazen’s mind, he expects the D-backs to be competing for the postseason every year. And there is stress that comes with playing meaningful games in September and October.

“This is pressure for them,” Hazen said. “But being an elite team, there is pressure all the time. So, it’s a good window into seeing how they’re going to react.”