PITTSBURGH — In a season of swings, the Diamondbacks know this bumpy ride well, even if they appeared to have gotten it out of their system recently, holding first place in the NL West for all but one day since July 29.
With their first three-game losing streak in a month, the D-backs have come back into range with a tight one-game lead after a 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh, which may not be the worst team in the league, but is tied for the worst record.
The D-backs (88-70) still have their playoff hopes in their own hands, needing any combination of three victories or three losses by Philadelphia in the final four games to clinch a postseason appearance.
But Colorado now figures into the equation after catching the Phillies. Both are one game behind San Diego in the wild card race.
"This puts some pressure on us," said Conor Jackson, whose RBI-double in the sixth inning drove in Eric Byrnes for the D-backs' run.
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"On the flip side, we can't push the panic button. We're still in a good spot. We need to come out and play like we have the last two months. This is uncharacteristic of our ball club. We have four games to bounce back and do some damage."
Livan Hernandez gave up 10 hits in four innings, leaving one batter after Xavier Nady led off the fifth with a home run to give the Pirates a 4-0 lead.
Hernandez (11-11) said he was affected by a 59-minute rain delay that occurred with two outs and a runner on first base in the last of the second inning.
The Pirates had nine of their 10 hits off Hernandez after play resumed, scoring twice in the third and once in the fourth before Nady's homer.
Ex-D-backs top scout has a lot of pride / C3
Today
• Who: D-backs at Pirates
• When: 9:35 a.m.
• TV: Ch. 58
• Radio: 1490-AM
