D-backs ride 8-run inning to victory over Dodgers

PHOENIX — You haven’t heard Randal Grichuk complain about his role on the Diamondbacks this year. While his performance at the plate probably warrants more at-bats, he knows he’s part of a platoon at the designated hitter spot with the left-handed-hitting Joc Pederson.

That doesn’t mean it’s been easy for Grichuk to handle the lack of playing time, but he’s made the most of the opportunities he’s gotten — like Sunday, when he doubled, homered and drove in three runs as the D-backs beat the Dodgers, 14-3, at Chase Field.

In Sunday’s contest, however, it was only the D-backs who flexed their muscles, as they put together an eight-run second inning that was capped by Grichuk’s three-run homer.

The Dodgers beat the D-backs in the first two games of the series, which left manager Torey Lovullo curious as to how his team would respond Sunday.

Interestingly, it wasn’t the eight-run second inning that let Lovullo know his team was just fine, but rather it was a running catch that center fielder Jake McCarthy made in the first inning that did.

“That told me the story,” Lovullo said. “That told me everything I wanted to know about this team and their hunger and their desire to go out there and execute to win today’s game. I’m not saying it was a must-win game, but it was a very, very important game. We know the standings. We’re following it. We’re chasing the Dodgers, all that stuff, but what impresses me most is our ability to block that out, go out and execute and win the game the way we did today.”

Grichuk played a big role in the action just two days after Lovullo pinch-hit for him in the second inning of the series opener when Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw left the game due to injury and a right-hander replaced him.

All year long, Lovullo has used Grichuk at DH against lefties and Pederson vs. righties.

“To block out that noise and that frustration and turn the page, that was an amazing, amazing day for him,” Lovullo said. “I know it hasn’t been easy for him. I’ve had some conversations with him. I know that he’s hungry to play more. He could probably get right-on-right at-bats and be very, very productive.”

But Lovullo has stuck with the formula and it’s impossible to argue with the results.

With Grichuk and Pederson mostly holding down the role, the D-backs have gotten a composite .899 OPS out of the DH spot this year. That’s the third-best mark in the Majors behind only the Dodgers , who have Shohei Ohtani in that role, and the Braves with Marcell Ozuna.

Because there are more right-handed pitchers than lefties in the big leagues, Pederson has gotten more at-bats than Grichuk.

“There’s been a lot of ups and downs,” Grichuk said. “Playing a couple times a week is a tough role in this game. Pitchers are nasty. If you’re not getting those every day at-bats, it’s tough. But just got to go up there confident and when the mechanics are clicking, then games like today happen.”

It also is easier for a player to accept less of a role when he’s doing so on a team that’s winning, and with the D-backs currently holding the top spot in the NL Wild Card chase and just five games behind the Dodgers in the NL West, Grichuk is more apt to embrace his role.

“He’s accepted his role,” Lovullo said. “He knows what’s for the good of the team, and that, to me, is a sacrifice and a commitment to what’s going on here.”