The Los Angeles Dodgers made an unexpected Will Smith decision before a crucial game against the San Diego Padres.

Against their top division rivals, the Dodgers found their intensity and urgency that had been missing as they recaptured the lead in the NL West

The Padres must bounce back as they'll host the San Francisco Giants at home. San Diego are coming off sweeping the Giants this week, so they'll need to replicate what went right in that series to stay within striking distance of the Dodgers, who will face the last-place Colorado Rockies.

Xander Bogaerts, who had been hit by a pitch to start the inning, was on third and Laureano on second. Iglesias drove in Bogaerts with a groundout before Fermin made the final out on a comebacker to Vesia. The lefty retired the top of the Padres’ order — Tatis, Arraez and Machado — in the ninth.

Sunday’s victory hardly made up for the fateful loss of a championship to the Houston Astros eight years ago, but it did finish off a sweep of the San Diego Padres as the Dodgers regained their grip on first place in the National League West.

As San Diego continues its playoff push, Merrill’s recovery will be closely monitored. The Padres have leaned heavily on their pitching and defense to stay afloat in the division race, and losing one of their most dynamic young players could test their depth down the stretch.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are squaring off against Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium, a mid-August series that has serious playoff rac

Dodgers capitalize on Padres’ sloppiness to retake sole possession of first place - Sports | Hawaii Tribune-Herald