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)

Making the Padres' Opening Day roster last year as a 21-year-old, Merrill's first year resulted in a top-10 finish in NL MVP voting, an All-Star Game selection, a runner-up to Paul Skenes in the National League Rookie of the Year running, and also a Silver Slugger Award.

The San Diego Padres have a chance to end the season strong, but Mike Shildt needs to make small adjustments to make it happen.

The Padres have not been alone in first place since April, and have not been in first place this late in the season since 2010, and yet they lead the Dodgers by one game.