PHOENIX (AP) — Ryan Roberts was the last player to make the opening-day roster for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Now he’s an important part of the most surprising team in baseball.

Roberts hit a three-run homer and the Diamondbacks earned their 33rd come-from-behind victory by beating the New York Mets 6-4 on Saturday night.

“It doesn’t matter whether we’re down by two or down by seven going into the ninth,” Roberts said. “That just how the team’s aura is. That’s just what everybody’s about. We’re not worried about anything but the inning at hand.”

Daniel Hudson (12-8) allowed four runs, two earned, and eight hits in eight innings as the Diamondbacks posted their fifth consecutive victory to remain two games ahead of second-place San Francisco in the NL West. Hudson also had a run-scoring single, his 13th RBI of the year.

Manager Kirk Gibson warned of difficult days ahead for a team not accustomed to being in a pennant race.

“We’re in a good spot,” he said. “Our character’s yet to be determined. It looks like we’ve got a lot of character. It’s yet to be determined. It’s going to get frustrating. It’s going to get much, much, much tougher, physically and mentally. But we try to keep our team in a position where we’ll be able to withstand it.”

J.J. Putz pitched a scoreless ninth for his 29th save in 33 attempts.

Mets starter Mike Pelfrey was hit by a line drive off the bat of Gerardo Parra leading off the fifth inning and left the game with a bruised right elbow.

D.J. Carrasco (1-3) came in and Parra moved to second on Hudson’s sacrifice before Willie Bloomquist was hit by a pitch. Roberts drove the next offering over the wall in left for his 16th homer, giving the Diamondbacks a 5-4 lead.

“Really I thought he was just going to throw a first-pitch fastball and I was going to see a pitch just to see what it looked like,” Roberts said. “I didn’t want to be too jumpy and too anxious and do something stupid, so I was just going to actually see a pitch. He just threw a curveball and left it up and I happened to see it and I went at it.”

Afterward, Pelfrey had to field questions about a story in the New York Post in which he appeared to be critical of the Mets’ personnel. He said his comments were misinterpreted in an interview that he thought had been positive.

“I didn’t think I said a negative thing,” he said. “That is why I was shocked.”

After meeting with Pelfrey before the game, manager Terry Collins agreed with his pitcher.

“It was a tough day for him,” Collins said. “He came into the ballpark getting ready to pitch and he gets hammered on things he didn’t expect. Then he gets hit by a line drive on one of the days he has some of his best stuff.”

Hudson was coming off perhaps the worst start of his young career when he lasted just three innings against Houston, giving up seven runs — four earned — and 11 hits. The 24-year-old right-hander won for only the second time in five starts.

“It was just kind of average,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I had great stuff but I didn’t have bad stuff either.”

The Mets have lost four in a row and 10 of 13 to fall three games below .500 for the first time since June 22.

Mike Baxter had a single and RBI triple, and Pelfrey singed in a run with only his third hit in 42 at-bats this season.

Baxter’s triple over the head of center fielder Chris Young in the fourth drove in Ronny Paulino from first base, then Pelfrey singled to right to make it 4-2.

The Diamondbacks jumped on Pelfrey for two runs in the first. Roberts doubled and scored on Justin Upton’s single. Upton stole second, then took third on the catcher Paulino’s errant throw. Miguel Montero’s sacrifice fly brought Upton home.

New York quickly tied it with two unearned runs in the second.

Roberts bobbled Jason Bay’s bouncer to third for an error. Baxter singled, and the runners advanced on a passed ball by Montero. Ruben Tejada’s soft double down the right-field line scored both runners.

NOTES: Bay’s second-inning grounder initially was ruled a base hit but the scorer changed it to an error an inning later. … Diamondbacks rookie Paul Goldschmidt struck out four times. … The Mets will send ex-Diamondbacks pitcher Chris Capuano to the mound Sunday to try to avoid a sweep. The Diamondbacks will counter with Jason Marquis, who is 0-2 and has allowed 15 runs in eight innings in his two starts since coming to Arizona from Washington. … Arizona is a major league-best 61-0 when leading after eight innings.

PITTSBURGH — There was a late-game rally and quality relief work, a gritty and inspiring comeback like many the Diamondbacks had pulled off already this season.

Only this time, it didn’t belong to them, but to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and it was the Diamondbacks who shuffled back to their clubhouse, stunned by the taste of their own medicine in an 8-5 loss at PNC Park.

Tasked with protecting a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth, Diamondbacks reliever David Hernandez was tagged for five runs without recording an out, sending the Diamondbacks and temporary manager Alan Trammell to a loss in the first game of a seven-game road trip.

Not all of it was Hernandez’s fault, but he did not retire any of the six batters he faced as the Pirates collected four hits, including a bases-clearing double by Lyle Overbay, sending the Diamondbacks to their first loss of the season in the 25th game they led after seven innings.

“It’s rough,” Hernandez said. “These guys grind for eight innings and I come in and don’t get an out — it’s kind of embarrassing. But that’s why we play 162 of them.”

Right-hander Daniel Hudson gave up just one earned run in seven innings and the Diamondbacks offense did what appeared to be enough to win. Kelly Johnson, Juan Miranda and Chris Young each hit solo home runs, and the Diamondbacks racked up 13 hits.

But in the eighth inning, when all those hits had added up to just five runs, Hudson turned to a teammate and said how it felt backward, how it felt like the Diamondbacks should have eight runs.

The Pirates had just three hits after seven innings, but Garrett Jones began the eighth against Hernandez with an eight-pitch at-bat, fouling off three consecutive two-strike pitches before lacing a double into right-center field.

Jose Tabata followed with a double before Josh Harrison, after failing to get down a bunt, shot a single through the middle to tie the score.

“That was the momentum; you could sense it right there,” said Trammell, who was filling in for manager Kirk Gibson, who was serving a one-game suspension stemming from Sunday’s beanball battle with the Nationals.

“Momentum is a wonderful thing if you’re on the good side of it. On the other side, you could see it was one of those innings that you hope to minimize the damage.”

They couldn’t. After Xavier Paul dropped a bunt in front of the plate, catcher Miguel Montero tried to get the lead runner, but Tabata beat the throw.

“I should have got one out for sure,” Montero said.

Hernandez then walked Andrew McCutchen on four pitches, loading the bases and giving Trammell a decision to make. He chose to stick with Hernandez, saying his dominant first two months had earned him the right to try to get out of the inning.

But after falling behind Overbay 3-0, he fired consecutive fastballs down the middle, and Overbay laced a double to right to give the Pirates the 8-5 lead.

Diamondbacks rewind

Play at the plate: The Diamondbacks were on the wrong end of what looked like a bad call in the fourth inning.

With a runner on third and one out, former Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder lined a ball to left field, where Gerardo Parra made the catch and came up firing.

Catcher Miguel Montero made the tag, apparently nailing Pirates runner Andrew McCutchen, but plate umpire Dan Iassogna ruled Montero had bobbled it.

“There never was (a bobble),” Montero said. “But it was a bang-bang play, and it’s a tough call for the umpire.”

Hudson recovers: An error by first baseman Juan Miranda helped the Pirates score twice in the second inning off Diamondbacks right-hander Daniel Hudson, but Hudson settled in and retired the final nine batters he faced.

“I was flying open a little bit and trying to get downhill too quick, not giving my arm a chance to catch up,” Hudson said. “(Pitching coach) Charlie (Nagy) really noticed that and told me to go out there and find my rhythm, and that’s what I tried to do.”

Rally starter: The Diamondbacks scored three times in the fifth, once on a Miranda home run — one of his career-high four hits — and twice more after a rally that began with a single by Hudson.

“I just kind of closed my eyes and swung,” Hudson joked. “Something good happened. You never know.”

View from the press box

After David Hernandez was unable to get back on track in the eighth inning Tuesday, you start to wonder if there are some nights when Hernandez just doesn’t have it — and isn’t capable of finding it. Granted, those outings have been few and far between — Hernandez has had an excellent first two months — but it certainly was the case during a May 20 game vs. Minnesota as well. Might be an attribute of his that the Diamondbacks need to be cognizant of the rest of the season.

Read More: Jorge De La Rosa (P – COL), Troy Tulowitzki (SS – COL), Carlos Gonzalez (LF – COL), Greg Reynolds (P – COL), Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks

The Colorado Rockies picked up a 12-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday, but will it eventually prove to be a Pyrrhic victory? Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa left the game with left elbow soreness.

After holding the D’Backs off the board for the first two innings, De La Rosa put two men on through a double and a walk. Then in the middle of a Chris Young at-bat, De La Rosa felt something and catcher Chris Iannetta called for the coaching staff to come out to the field. After a lengthy wait, the Rockies announced De La Rosa’s elbow issues and said he would continue to be evaluated.

So the Rockies turned to Greg Reynolds, recalled after Felipe Paulino was designated for assignment over the weekend. Reynolds then allowed both base runners to score on a ground out, which was immediately followed by an RBI single for a 3-0 Arizona lead. But Reynolds did a bang up job after that by completing 3.2 innings and not allowing any other runs. He walked one and struck out two. His status for Saturday is not yet known, but he threw just 48 pitches.

After the third inning, the Rockies offense clicked and put runs on the board for the next four innings. Among the highlights: Carlos Gonzalez hit two home runs (8), a solo in the fourth and two-run in the seventh, and Seth Smith hit his fifth of the season in the fourth as well (and added an RBI double in the fifth inning). Troy Tulowitzki drew a bases loaded walk in the fifth inning and drove in a run on a single in the sixth. Dexter Fowler dropped a two-run triple off Aaron Heilman in the seventh.

The Rockies (24-22, 12-10 home) begin the second game of the doubleheader at 6:40 p.m. MT. Jhoulys Chacin and Joe Saunders pitch.

For more on the Rockies, check out Purple Row. Visit AZ Snakepit and SB Nation Arizona for more on the Diamondbacks.

Read More: Jorge De La Rosa (P – COL), Matt Belisle (P – COL), Chris Iannetta (C – COL), Dexter Fowler (CF – COL), Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies, Apr 2, 2011 6:10 PM MDT

The Colorado Rockies pulled out a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night, but how costly will it prove in the long run? Jorge De La Rosa was pitching a solid game through 5 1/3 innings before he left with a blister on his middle finger. De La Rosa missed two months of the 2010 season with a similar injury. He held the D’Backs to three hits and struck out five batters. He was pitching the mid-90s during the game and using his changeup and curveball effectively. Fifty-four of his 87 pitches went for strikes.

Catcher Chris Iannetta had another good game with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. In the third inning, Iannetta started it with a single and then scored on a Dexter Fowler double. In the fourth inning, Jose Lopez singled and then moved to second on a passed ball. After an Ian Stewart strikeout, Iannetta doubled in Lopez. De La Rosa then delivered the surprise RBI single to right field.

The bullpen held things down once De La Rosa left. Matt Belisle delivered a scoreless 1 2/3 innings before giving way to Rafael Betancourt. Huston Street got into trouble in the ninth when he allowed a leadoff single and then walked Chris Young. Ryan Robert followed with an RBI single. However, Street got Miguel Montero, Russell Branyan and Gerardo Parra 1-2-3 after that to end the game.

The defensive highlights of the game came when Seth Smith (1-for-4, double) crashed into the right field wall to save an extra-bases hit and end the inning and Carlos Gonzalez’s head-first dive/stretch to save a ball from finding its way into the corner of left field.

The Rockies and the Diamondbacks finish this series on Sunday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. MT when Jhoulys Chacin opposes Joe Saunders.

Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore smiles in the dugout after leaving the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore smiles in the dugout after…

Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore flys out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore flys out against the Arizona…

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Brandon Allen robs Cleveland Indians’ Orlando Cabrera of a hit during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Brandon Allen robs Cleveland…

Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore grounds out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Cleveland Indians’ Grady Sizemore grounds out against the Arizona…

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Brandon Allen robs Cleveland Indians’ Orlando Cabrera of a hit during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Brandon Allen robs Cleveland…

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Brandon Allen robs Cleveland Indians’ Orlando Cabrera of a hit during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Brandon Allen robs Cleveland…

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mitch Talbot throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mitch Talbot throws to the…

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Armando Galarraga throws to the Cleveland Indians during the second inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Armando Galarraga throws to…

Cleveland Indians’ Travis Buck hits a 2-RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Cleveland Indians’ Travis Buck hits a 2-RBI double against the…

Cleveland Indians’ Orlando Cabrera hits a RBI-single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz., Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo: Chris Carlson / AP

Cleveland Indians’ Orlando Cabrera hits a RBI-single against the…