PHOENIX — Down in the standings or down to their last out, the Arizona Diamondbacks found a way to rally all season, riding their comebacks into the playoffs.
After two lackluster games in Milwaukee, the Diamondbacks need another big comeback or it’s going to be a short return to the postseason.
Trailing the bashing-and-bunting Brewers 2-0 in the NL division series, Arizona returns home for Game 3 tonight, sending out rookie right-hander Josh Collmenter to face Milwaukee righty Shaun Marcum in what should be a raucous atmosphere at Chase Field.
Unable to catch the Brewers in the regular season to secure home-field advantage in the first round, the Diamondbacks opened the NLDS with two games in Milwaukee.
They return to the desert searching for answers after two deflating losses.
Next in line to try to stop Milwaukee is Collmenter, the Paul Bunyan-esque right-hander with the over-the-top delivery crafted from his tomahawk-throwing days as a kid.
The Brewers were among the teams unable to figure out Collmenter. He pitched 14 scoreless innings and allowed six hits in consecutive starts against Milwaukee in July — a big reason Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson went with the big right-hander.
A counterbalance to Zack Greinke’s home dominance, Marcum was Milwaukee’s big man on the road.
Just 5-4 with a 4.81 ERA in 17 home starts, the 29-year-old went 8-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 16 games away from Miller Park. After a strong start to the season, Marcum had some struggles down the stretch, putting up a 6.66 ERA in his final four outings, but he does have postseason experience and has proven to be resilient.
Phillies vs. Cardinals
Series tied 1-1: Best of five
Phila. 11, St. Louis 6
St. Louis 5, Phila. 4
Tuesday: Phila. (Hamels 14-9) at St. Louis (Garcia 13-7), 3:07 p.m.
Wednesday: Phila. at St. Louis, 4:07 or 6:07 p.m.
x-Friday: St. Louis at Phila., 6:07 or 6:37 p.m.
(x-if necessary)
Brewers vs. D-backs
Brewers lead series 2-0: Best of five
Milwaukee 4, Arizona 1
Milwaukee 9, Arizona 4
Tuesday: Milwaukee (Marcum 13-7) at Arizona (Collmenter 10-10), 7:37 p.m.
x-Wednesday: Milwaukee at Arizona, 6:07 or 7:37 p.m.
x-Friday: Arizona at Milwaukee, 3:07 or 6:07 p.m.
(x-if necessary)
