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SAN DIEGO (AP) — As the Dodgers readied for their series in San Diego, manager Don Mattingly was worried about his club being complacent — Los Angeles had just swept a pivotal three-game series with NL West-rival San Francisco, and the Padres had been fading.
But after the Dodgers took Sunday's contest 5-1, Mattingly was at ease. The Dodgers won three of four games, are a season-high 20 games above .500 and 7 1/2 games ahead of the Giants.
"Obviously that first one hurt, coming from behind and then letting that one get away," Mattingly said. "But I feel like the guys were really good. They seemed to be really steady. Didn't really feel that emotional letdown."
A.J. Ellis had an RBI single and the Dodgers capitalized on some sloppy Padres defense to win for the 11th time in their last 13 games.
Ellis put Los Angeles ahead 2-1 with a sharp single to left in the sixth.
With the bases loaded in the seventh, Padres reliever Nick Vincent had a two-out, three-base throwing error after fielding Andre Ethier's dribbler up the first base line. Vincent tossed it over first baseman Wil Myers' head, allowing three runs to score.
"I just got there and rushed the throw," Vincent said. "I got to the ball fine, had a pretty good angle at it, just went to throw it and eased it over there and I just floated it away."
The Padres have lost three straight and five of six.
Brett Anderson (9-8) pitched 5 2-3 innings, surrendering one run on four hits and four walks. He struck out four before leaving with a cramp in his left calf.
"It usually goes away but this was the longest one I ever had," Anderson said.
Andrew Cashner (5-14) worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked four with five strike outs in losing for the 12th time in his last 16 decisions.
"I think Cash pitched well enough to win by far," Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said. "I thought he really pitched great."
The Padres appeared poised to tie the game in the sixth with runners on the corners and two outs.
Pinch-hitter Melvin Upton, Jr., faced reliever J.P. Howell and hit a hard grounder to third base, where it ricocheted off Corey Seager to Jimmy Rollins. Rollins threw Upton out at first base.
The Dodgers seized the 2-1 advantage when Justin Upton couldn't field Ellis' one-out, sinking line drive in left. Upton left his feet and the ball glanced off his glove for a single that scored Justin Turner, who opened the inning with a double. Casher avoided further damage when Joc Pederson hit into a double play.
San Diego tied the game 1-1 on Jedd Gyorko's third-inning, one-out home run to left. It was Gyorko's third homer of the four-game series and 13th on the year.
The Dodgers struck in the first inning on Ethier's sacrifice fly, with Crawford scoring. Crawford reached on a one-out walk and advanced when Adrian Gonzalez walked and Turner was hit by a pitch.
RIGHT ON, PADRES
With the season entering its last month, it's looking more like the Padres will go the entire season without starting a left-handed pitcher. Through 136 games, the Padres have started a right-hander in every game. That's the longest single-season streak in franchise history. The previous mark was 133 games in 2006.
SEAGER SHINES
Corey Seager, the Dodgers' top prospect who made his major-league debut on Thursday night, had a memorable series. He hit safely in three of four games and also collected his first stolen base. Seager started at third base in two games and shortstop in another. He finished 4 for 15 (.333) with two extra base hits.
TRAINERS ROOM
PADRES: RHP Josh Johnson (right elbow) won't pitch again this season after shutting down his minor league rehabilitation stint Friday after just four pitches. Johnson, who has undergone two Tommy John surgeries, will meet with Dr. James Andrews on Tuesday.
DODGERS: 2B Howie Kendrick (left hamstring) will join the club in Anaheim and could be activated by the end of the week.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: RHP Zack Greinke (15-3, 1.59) starts a three-game series in Anaheim against the Angles on Monday. Greinke leads the majors in ERA, quality starts (25) and opponents' batting average (.189).
Padres: RHP Ian Kennedy (8-12, 3.88) will kick off a four-game series against the visiting Rockies on Monday. Kennedy has lost three of his last four starts, but has been pitching well. Over those four games, he's allowed but five runs.
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