D-Backs narrow gap with rout of Rockies

DENVER - Sunday was just like old times for Dan Haren and the Diamondbacks.

The D-Backs had a season-high 19 hits, Haren got a cushy early lead and the D-Backs battered Colorado, 13-4, making a decisive statement to Los Angeles that the NL West race will go into the final days.

D-Backs notebook: Youngs huge game falls just short of cycle

“This reminded me a little bit of April,” said Haren, who set his career high with his 16th victory.

“We got a lot of runs in the beginning and I could be aggressive in the strike zone.”

The D-Backs scored five runs in the first inning and one more in the second off Colorado right-hander Greg Reynolds — as many runs in two innings as they scored in Haren’s last five starts.

Stephen Drew, Adam Dunn and Chris Snyder had doubles in the first inning and Chris Young homered in the second as the D-Backs got their first victory in a road series since taking two of three in Houston on Aug. 15-17.

By the time it ended, every starter had a hit and several career records were set.

• Young had four RBIs, scored a career-high four runs and was a double short of the cycle, lining out to third base in the ninth.

• Adam Dunn had two hits and three RBIs.

• Conor Jackson tied a career high with four hits, scored twice and drove in one.

• Haren had a career-high three hits.

“A lot of things we hadn’t been doing, we did today,” manager Bob Melvin said.

“We got early runs, add-on runs and consistent at-bats throughout the game. Danny pitched well, and we were able to rest the bullpen.

“The offense was as good as it’s been all year.”

The D-Backs (78-77) got back over .500 for the first time since Sept. 6 and gained a game on the Dodgers in the division race, getting within 2 1/2 games of the Dodgers when they lost to San Francisco, 1-0, in 11 innings.

The D-Backs begin a four-game series in St. Louis tonight while the Dodgers have a day off before beginning a three-game series against San Diego, which will throw Jake Peavy in Tuesday’s opener.

“We just take it day to day. The challenge is the same as what we had this week,” Melvin said.

“We know we have a significant road ahead of us. We can’t win three games in a day. We can’t look ahead at all. Hopefully we can get help from the other side, because we need it.”

Haren (16-9) set a career record with his 16th victory, continuing his upward progression.

He won 14 games with Oakland in 2005 and 2006 and 15 last season, his last with the A’s.

“Typical Danny. He threw strikes, he kept the ball down. He mixed all his pitches,” Melvin said.

Dunn had a two-run double in the five-run first, and Haren singled to right field to drive in the final run.

“Danny had the big hit in the first inning and we never looked back,” Young said.

“I just tried to hit it to the opposite field,” Haren said. “When I’m up there, I try to put up a good at-bat.”

NL West race

Dodgers 81 75 .519 —

D-Backs 78 77 .503 2 1/2

Games remaining

Dodgers (6): Tue.-Thu. vs. Padres; Fri.-Sun. at Giants.

D-Backs (7): Monday-Thu. at Cardinals; Fri.-Sun. vs. Rockies