PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks still lead the National League wild-card race, even if they don’t look like the same team that was 22 games above .500 on June 27.
That’s what a stretch of 14 losses in 20 games will do to a team. But first-year manager Torey Lovullo stayed as patient as can be during that downturn.
No roster shakeups. No pitching-staff overhauls. No public dressing down of players.
Now, the payoff may be coming, if the Diamondbacks’ 10-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night is any indication. The teams play the second game of a three-game series Tuesday night.