Hard to believe that a team that’s 26-38 could have a critical game at this juncture of the season, but that’s what Thursday’s Defenders clash with Worcester at Holman Stadium will be thanks to their 7-5 win over Worcester before only 753 fans at Holman Stadium on Wednesday.

A win Thursday means three out of four from the hottest team in the league and it could begin the run the team needs to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.

“If we have any thoughts of making the playoffs,” Defenders manager Brian Daubach said, “tomorrow is a huge game.”

 Thanks in part to catcher Zane Chavez, it is a huge game. Chavez hit his first home run as a professional on Wednesday, a mammoth three-run blast deep into the trees in right field,to highlight a four-run Defenders third inning. He also knocked in a run in the second with an RBI single. All in all it was a 3-for-4, four RBI night.

“He’s worked hard, and it’s starting to pay off and he’s starting to get some confidence at the plate,” Daubach said. “I know it’s finally good to get that first homer on the board. He’s been fighting it a little bit, he’s hit some good balls either in the wrong parks or the wind’s blowing in. He finally got one on the board and it was a big one. It’s as far as we’ve seen all year.”

“I’m just trying to hit the ball hard,” said Chavez, who went into the game hitting .280 with 11 RBI in 39 games.  ”Get a pitch that I can hit hard and get a run in. Just hit the ball hard somewhere. I think we have a chance, just like anyone else has a chance. We’re hitting the ball well, playing good defense, and if we keep doing that, we should be able to win some more games.”

Chavez helped make a winner out of Miguel Flores (5-1), who gutted out five innings on three days rest.

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Worcester was without first baseman Chris Colabello Wednesday and could be on Thursday as well, as the former Nashua Pride slugger suffered a pulled hamstring on Tuesday night.

—- TOM KING