The Padres entered their weekend series at Dodger Stadium in unfamiliar territory at this juncture of a season -- in first place. They had overturned a nine-game deficit and rode a five-game winning streak into Los Angeles.

Magic Johnson is a big part of the Los Angeles professional teams. With the bullpen going down a rough patch, he has highlighted someone that has been a bright spot.

LOS ANGELES — It was touted as the biggest series of the month. It was billed as a potential passing of the torch, with the San Diego Padres threatening to win the National League West for the first time in 19 years. Instead, Sunday’s finale ended in a three-game sweep — and a relatively convincing one, at that.

Right-hander Michael King is going back on the injured list after just one start, a blow to the Padres rotation ahead of perhaps San Diego’s biggest series of the season. King, who was scheduled to start Friday’s series opener against the Dodgers in Los Angeles,

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have one of the more bitter rivalries in baseball. Even the managers seem to have some beef.

Preview the Aug. 17 matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.

JP Sears could be headed back to San Diego. The left-hander had been scheduled to start Sunday for Triple-A El Paso, but that duty went instead to left-hander Kyle Hart, who threw an inning before giving way to left-hander Omar Cruz in the Chihuahuas’ 4-2 win at Reno.

Another notable transaction took place on Sunday as well. The Padres released right-handed pitcher Luis Patino, who used to be a top pitching prospect in the organization. Patino signed a minor league deal back in January and had only seen time this season in the minors.