LOS ANGELES — It was touted as the biggest series of the month. It was billed as a potential passing of the torch, with the San Diego Padres threatening to win the National League West for the first time in 19 years. Instead, Sunday’s finale ended in a three-game sweep — and a relatively convincing one, at that.

Mookie Betts hits a tiebreaking solo homer in the eighth inning, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 5-4 on Sunday.

Then Betts rescued the Dodgers with the 394-foot shot to left-center off Robert Suarez. It was the shortstop's 13th homer of the season and just his fifth since June. Betts had 25 in 2022 and 39 in 2023.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia slammed the door on the San Diego Padres, and cemented a series sweep.

Teoscar Hernandez hit a solo home run 411 feet to center field to increase the Dodgers' lead to 6-0 against the Padres in the fifth inning. Hernandez has hit a solo home run on back-to-back nights against San Diego.

The Los Angeles Dodgers turned six walks in the first two innings into five runs and moved back into sole possession of first place in the National League West with a 6-0 victory over the visiting San Diego Padres on Saturday.

San Diego is 69-53 overall and 31-33 on the road. The Padres have the fifth-ranked team batting average in the NL at .251. The teams meet Saturday for the ninth time this season. The Dodgers lead the season series 6-2.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease spoke out about his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.