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Reynolds sees D-backs' attitude change

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By Cheng Sio / MLB.com

07/22/09 3:50 PM ET

DENVER -- D-backs third baseman Mark Reynolds and about a half-dozen teammates huddled comfortably on the large U-shaped sofa as they watched MLB Network in the clubhouse before their series rubber match against the Rockies on Wednesday.

When the program showed Tuesday's top plays, they all relived Reynolds making a Derek Jeter-like running catch and then tumbling into the left-field stands. A good ribbing ensued.

But less than three weeks ago, laughter was harder to find. After a game in which the D-backs committed three errors en route to a 5-0 loss to the Rockies on July 3, Reynolds vented his frustrations to reporters postgame.

"It seems like we get down one or two runs and no one [cares] anymore," Reynolds said that night. "This is the Major Leagues. You can't go out there and make three errors a night and expect to win a game. We look like the Bad News Bears out there, and it's frustrating. It's to the point where stuff's got to change."

Since Reynolds' outburst, the D-backs have won nine of 14 entering Wednesday. Seven of the nine wins have been the come-from-behind variety. It looks like change has come from within.

"We're being a lot more resilient," Reynolds said. "We're having fun out there playing the game. Everybody is playing hard, and that's all you can ask."

Manager A.J. Hinch is happy with the team's resiliency, and as a result, he's seen the team rediscover its swagger.

The attitude has permeated into the clubhouse, too, in teasing each other such as after Reynolds' great defensive play, hanging out as a group and playing card games has become more common again as well.

"Everybody is having fun, everybody is picking each other up, we're playing jokes on each other and we're just having fun," Reynolds said. "When you have fun, it just makes a lot of things a lot easier."

Despite the team's 40-54 record, Reynolds and the D-backs hope they can bottle the magic they have found recently and carry it as far as they can.

"As the dust has settled over the course of what's gone on in the first three months, I think the guys are adjusting fine," Hinch said. "The reality is the type of season that we're in and the improvement we need to make are very real. I think we're ready to accept the challenge of making ourselves a better team as opposed to pouting and caving like we had been."

Cheng Sio is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.