PHOENIX -- After scoring just 16 runs across nine games, the D-backs’ offense broke out in a big way Sunday afternoon as Arizona pounded the Padres, 11-4, to salvage the final game of the three-game series at Chase Field.

Music once again blared in the D-backs’ clubhouse following the win, and they no doubt had a happy flight to Cincinnati afterward.

That is all well and good, but the key for the D-backs is figuring out how to continue the offensive surge because they have had big games this year, only to struggle to score runs in subsequent contests.

For example, their recent stretch of 16 runs in nine games began after they scored 14 runs in a win over the Cardinals. Hitting is contagious, the saying goes, but that is usually in the context of a single game.

Whether that applies to the next game is more debatable.

“I just think it's about having good at bats,” outfielder Jake McCarthy said. “I know that sounds super cliché, but we could wear guys down, maybe get in the bullpen a little earlier by seeing [more] pitches, just passing it to the next guy.

“Obviously, we all want to slug, we all want to have a ton of hits. But a walk here or there, just moving a guy over early in the inning [makes a difference]. So, again, it sounds really simple, but I think when one through nine does that, it gives us a better chance.”

The season thus far has not gone the way the D-backs planned. Coming off a surprise run to the World Series last year, they’ve suffered some key injuries and watched some players they count on struggle to produce.

On Tuesday in Cincinnati, they will start to get some of those pieces back with outfielder Alek Thomas and closer Paul Sewald expected to be activated from the injured list. Right-hander Ryne Nelson came off the IL on Sunday and picked up the win.

The D-backs hope Thomas and Sewald will provide a boost as they continue a tough part of their schedule. After the three games with the Reds, they will travel to Baltimore to take on the best team in the American League.

At 15-20, the D-backs are not where they want to be. But just 35 games in, any talk about their season being on the brink is far too premature to entertain.

“Anyone who was a part of last year's team knew that we had a way worse six-week span last season and we almost got to where we wanted to go,” Sewald said. “Getting Ryne back, getting me back, getting Alek back this week, I think, will probably give us a little bit of momentum. You know, when you put three of your 26 best players in the organization back on the roster that definitely helps. We just have to play better all together.”

Not to say that the Arizona hitters began doubting themselves, but a performance like Sunday’s certainly didn’t hurt.

“I think we had something to prove to ourselves more than anything,” first baseman Christian Walker said. “It’s always great to get back in the win column, but there’s a certain standard that we expect to throw out there every day and we owe it to ourselves to get back on track.”

One player the D-backs need to get going offensively is outfielder Corbin Carroll. Last year’s NL Rookie of the Year has shown signs recently that he may be snapping out of his funk.

On Sunday, he had a pair of hits, including a two-out, two-run single in the first inning that capped a four-run rally.

“That was a huge knock,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “It was just a really nice job of hitting, and he followed that up with another base hit. He’s got a good swing plane, and he’s letting the balls go that he’s supposed to let go. Corbin is going to be just fine.”

So, too, might the D-backs.