Diamondbacks' Comeback Win vs Reds Was Massive for Playoff Hopes

There are still no must-win games in the month of August, but the Arizona Diamondbacks escaping the threat of a devastating series loss in comeback fashion on Sunday was no small feat.

The playoff race remains hot, and will only get hotter. Both clubs the Diamondbacks have been chasing for a Wild Card berth seem unwilling to hand over a loss.

Arizona needed to handle business against the struggling Cincinnati Reds, and they managed to rebound from both a drama-filled week and an ugly blowout loss in game two. They trailed 3-0 as late as the sixth inning, but rallied for a four-run seventh. The bullpen made it stand up.

Where Diamondbacks stand in playoff picture

Aug 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) scores a run against the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Diamondbacks, with the win, improved to 69-62, seven games over .500. Unfortunately for Arizona, the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres simply continue stacking win after win.

Arizona sits on the outside of the playoff picture for now, but with Sunday's win, they hold their deficit to two games. The Phillies and Padres both won Sunday. The Diamondbacks did not gain any ground, but they avoided losing any.

Arizona does not have much hope of winning the division, of course. It will also be difficult for them to catch the 75-63 Chicago Cubs, barring a major slump. The Diamondbacks sit two games ahead of the Miami Marlins at 67-64; Miami does own the tiebreaker between the two teams, should it come down to that.

Arizona will have to face the Phillies and Padres once more each before season's end. They'll see Philadelphia for three games from August 31-September 2. Arizona currently leads the Phillies 2-1 in the season series.

The Padres, meanwhile, will be the final opponent on the Diamondbacks' regular-season slate. Those two division rivals have split their 10 previous games, 5-5.

Diamondbacks pull off tough comeback win

Aug 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas (6) makes the play against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sunday's game did not begin auspiciously. Rookie left-hander Mitch Bratt had another short, ineffective start, giving up three runs in three innings. That performance came on the heels of the news that Michael Soroka would be heading to the Injured List again.

Arizona's starting rotation may be in trouble moving forward.

But the Diamondbacks' bullpen pitched a masterclass. Newly-recalled Gerardo Carrillo, Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loasiga, Juan Morillo, Brandyn Garcia and Kevin Ginkel combined to throw six shutout innings. Despite a slightly rocky ninth inning, Ginkel earned the save.

But it was the seventh inning rally that flipped the contest on its head. Trailing 3-1, Arizona sent nine men to the plate.

It began with singles from Tim Tawa and Jordan Lawlar. James McCann walked and Lars Nootbaar brought in the first run with an RBI groundout.

But it was a confident swing by Ildemaro Vargas that sent a ball 105.8 MPH to the gap. Two runs scored, the Diamondbacks grabbed the lead, and Vargas was safe with a triple. He then scored on a Corbin Carroll sacrifice fly, and the 5-3 score was all Arizona would need.

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