Six weeks ago, the Padres were reeling. They returned to San Diego having dropped both series on a road trip through Cincinnati and Philadelphia. On the ensuing off-day, the Dodgers beat the White Sox to move nine games clear in the National League West.

Padres’ offensive onslaught keys sweep before NL West showdown (AJ Cassavell – Padres.com) Tom Krasovic: Padres are surging while other would-be contenders wilt (Tom Krasovic – U-T) Padres minors: Tirso Ornelas homers twice, JP Sears wins first El Paso start (Jeff Sanders – U-T)