SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — At the outset of play on July 4, the San Diego Padres were coming off a 2-4 trip through Cincinnati and Philadelphia and trailed the Los Angeles Dodgers by nine games in the National League West.

On Friday night, the Padres and Dodgers open a three-game series at Los Angeles with San Diego atop the division.

The Padres completed a three-game sweep of the host San Francisco Giants on Wednesday with an 11-1 romp that extended San Diego’s winning streak to five games. The Padres also have won five straight series and are 23-12 since Independence Day.

“We’ve played a lot of really good baseball,” manager Mike Shildt said. “Pitching’s been good, defense, baserunning. I’ve been really pleased the last week or so about the offense dictating the game.”

San Diego took con

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