Padres aim to derail red-hot Dodgers

Have the Los Angeles Dodgers found the formula to start running away from the National League West? A stretch of 14 wins in 16 games, including seven straight, has given them a commanding 6 1/2-game lead in the division as they start a three-game series Friday night in San Diego against the second-place Padres. Los Angeles capped a 6-0 homestand Wednesday by nipping Miami 3-1, getting a two-run homer from Teoscar Hernandez in the bottom of the sixth inning that snapped a 1-1 tie. Gavin Stone worked seven innings to earn the win.