SAN DIEGO -- The Padres tested their October formula in an October-like setting on Friday night.

When they execute it, they’re going to be tough to beat.

In the opener of a pivotal three-game series against the rival Dodgers at Petco Park, the Padres eked out a 2-1 victory , moving even with Los Angeles atop the National League West with 33 games to play.

The Padres small-balled their way to a lead, got six excellent innings from starting pitcher Yu Darvish and then were more than content to turn it over to their super-bullpen -- which did the rest.

Darvish was brilliant, allowing only a third-inning home run that Alex Freeland managed to keep fair just inside the right-field foul pole. Otherwise, he allowed only two other baserunners -- via walk and hit by pitch.

Darvish threw

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