LOS ANGELES — After the trade deadline passed, A.J. Preller reiterated that the Padres’ best team employs Dylan Cease.

The Padres president of baseball operations was talking about good Dylan Cease.

That is not who climbed the mound in the first inning Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

The Jekyll-and-Hyde hurler walked the first three hitters he faced and pushed that total to six — one shy of a career worst — before yet another early exit as the Padres hardly put up a fight in giving the season series to their NL West rivals via a 6-0 loss at Dodger Stadium.

The Padres and Dodgers play four more times this year — Sunday and three games next weekend at Petco Park — but the Dodgers have already won seven of nine to clinch the season series.

That ultimately only matters if the two teams end

See Full Page