Dodgers look to keep late-season surge vs. Padres

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in full roar now, gaining much-needed momentum against a pair of playoff contenders to wrest away the top spot in the National League West. The Dodgers took three days this week to turn a half-game deficit in the division to a three-game lead and now welcome the San Diego Padres into Dodger Stadium for the final home series of the season. The opener on Friday will match the Padres left-hander Eric Lauer (5-7, 4.74 ERA) against Dodgers lefty Rich Hill (9-5, 4.02).