Padres' mastery of L.A. moves them into first

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 18, 2006

Padres 2

Dodgers 1

LOS ANGELES - If it weren't for its games against the Dodgers, San Diego might be lagging in the West.

Thanks to their domination, the Padres instead are a half-game up, passing Los Angeles with their eighth win in the past nine meetings. The Padres are 13-4 overall against Los Angeles and 7-1 at Dodger Stadium.

"There's no rhyme or reason to it," Padres manager Bruce Bochy said.

Chris Young pitched six one-hit innings, pinch-hitter Terrmel Sledge singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth and Trevor Hoffman earned his 475th career save.

"They seem to get the big hits and pitch the big innings when they need them," said the Dodgers' Derek Lowe, who held San Diego to former Devil Ray Russell Branyan's homer over seven innings.

Notable: Young, who did not get a decision, remained unbeaten in his past 23 road starts dating to a loss June 20, 2005, with the Rangers.

[Last modified September 18, 2006, 02:19:12]