, who had his career-high streak of five straight victories snapped.Reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger also had an RBI single, in the third, and Rios made it 3-1 when he homered deep into the seats in right leading off the fifth, his fourth.Gonsolin (1-1) held the Padres to one run and four hits, struck out two and walked none in his longest outing so far.The 26-year-old rookie kept the Padres off balance except for the third, when they manufactured one run. Jurickson Profar hit a leadoff double over right fielder Mookie Betts, advanced on Greg Garcia's sacrifice and scored when Trent Grisham beat out a bunt for a single.After Grisham's single, Gonsolin retired 14 of the next 15 batters.''We've seen some good ones from Tony. For him to go seven was really remarkable,'' Roberts said. ''He worked ahead all night long. He was in control, which was really good to see.'' Gonsolin said he didn't feel any pressure after the loss Monday night.''Every game I go out there it's the biggest game for me,'' he said. ''I just want to go out there and throw strikes.'' Gonsolin ''has been tough on the entire league this year,'' Padres manager Jayce Tingler said. ''That's the second time we've seen him this season. We actually saw him four or five innings in spring training. He's good. He's been a tough matchup for us. I thought his velo even picked up later in the game.'' Davies, who also lost to the Dodgers on Aug. 12, allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings, struck out five and walked one.TRAINER'S ROOMDodgers: Activated Turner from the 10-day injured list. He missed 13 games with a left hamstring strain. Before going on the IL, Turner was batting .282 with two homers and 20 RBIs in 32 games during the shortened season. He started at DH. In a corresponding roster move, the Dodgers optioned RHP Josh Sborz. ... Reliever Caleb Ferguson left after feeling something in his left elbow after facing just one batter in the eighth. Roberts said Ferguson will get an MRI on Wednesday in LA.UP NEXTDodgers: RHP Dustin May (1-1, 2.81 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale Wednesday afternoon. Both of his decisions came against San Diego.Padres: LHP Adrian Morejon (2-0, 2.53) is set to go for the Padres.---More MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports)
Padres challenging Dodgers for division leadBefore Monday's opener of the three-game Padres-Dodgers series in San Diego, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if his club felt it was in a pennant race."We'd better embrace it as a pennant race," Roberts responded. "The goal is to win the division every year. And right now, the Padres are playing as good a baseball as anybody in the big leagues ... playing with a lot of confidence."They are going to be ready for us." Very ready.The Padres defeated the visiting Dodgers 7-2 Monday night to pull to within 1 1/2 games of the National League West leaders.Momentum.The Padres have won eight straight games to improve to 32-17. The Dodgers have lost five of their last eight to slip to 33-15. And not only were the Padres the sharper team Monday night but they put Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in the rearview mirror.Not only did the Padres hand Kershaw only his seventh loss in 28 career decisions against San Diego, they got four runs on five hits in a span of 11 batters against the Dodgers' top-ranked, National League bullpen.There is now a chance that the Padres could be leading the National League West when the Dodgers leave town Wednesday night. Even if they are not, they are nearing their first playoff opportunity since 2006. The Padres' magic number to land a playoff berth: Five."We just keep grinding," said Padres manager Jayce Tingler. "We felt something good was going to happen (Monday night). We've had good energy all year. And that's a good way to start the series for sure." And Tuesday night the Padres will send out one of their best grinders in right-hander Zach Davies (7-2, 2.48 ERA) against Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 1.57).Davies has a decision in all nine of his starts this season and is on a five-game winning streak. During that streak, Davies has allowed 12 runs (eight earned) on 21 hits and 12 walks with 32 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings for a 2.27 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.Davies has a 3-2 career record against the Dodgers with a 2.08 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP and a .217 opponents' batting average in seven starts. He has given up 10 runs to the Dodgers on 34 hits and nine walks with 35 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings.Both of Tuesday's starters faced the other team -- and each other -- once previously this season on Aug. 12 at Dodger Stadium in a game won by the Dodgers 6-0. It was one of the two losses suffered by Davies, who gave up two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in seven innings. Gonsolin allowed three hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.The Padres have yet to score against Gonsolin in two meetings, including the one start last month, over the past two seasons. He has allowed the Padres three hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts in a total of 6 2/3 innings.Gonsolin has become a key performer in the Dodgers' injury-riddled rotation. He has given up six runs (five earned) on 18 hits and six walks with 28 strikeouts over 28 2/3 innings in six appearances (five starts) for a 0.84 WHIP.--Field Level Media
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