SAN FRANCISCO -- Eleven days ago, the Padres shook up their roster in a major way, moving a total of 22 players on Trade Deadline day, as they added six big leaguers in key areas of need.

They did not do so with the intention of sneaking into a Wild Card spot. They had eyes on winning their first National League West title in 19 years.

Right now, they're making their move.

With their 4-1 victory over the Giants on Monday night at Oracle Park, the Padres have won 12 of their last 15 games. While they were winning in San Francisco, the first-place Dodgers were losing their series opener to the Angels in Anaheim.

Those results left Los Angeles clinging to a one-game lead, as close as the Padres have been to first place in two months -- and as close as they’ve been to first place p

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