Diamondbacks' Loss Moves Dodgers into Tie for First Place in NL West

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered Thursday with a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. In a matter of days, their lead has evaporated, with both teams tied for first place in the NL West entering a new week.

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered Thursday with a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. In a matter of days, their lead has evaporated, with both teams tied for first place in the NL West entering a new week.

The San Diego Padres entered their four-game series at Chase Field in Arizona, in need of a series win. With Fernando Tatis Jr. back in uniform, the Padres rolled to take three of four games from the Diamondbacks, making up two games on the division leaders. The Padres are a half-game back of the division lead, coming out of the weekend. Since Tatis' return, San Diego has scored 19 runs over four games, a significant improvement after their offense had gotten off to a rather slow start.

In Sunday's series finale, the Padres defeated the Diamondbacks 7-5 in a slugfest. Arizona clubbed three home runs off of the Padres' bullpen, but it was not enough, as the club dropped three of four in its home building. The Diamondbacks will try to shake off a disappointing weekend when the Kansas City Royals come to town Monday for a three-game series. The Diamondbacks also designated three-time World Series champion Madison Bumgarner for assignment, eating the remaining $34 million that is owed over the next two years to the former star.

This weekend, the Dodgers bounced back from a pair of series losses, storming into Wrigley Field and taking three of four games from the Chicago Cubs. Los Angeles suffered a 13-0 loss on Friday, but broke up Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly's perfect game bid in the eighth inning. The Dodgers' resounding victory over a hot team will quiet some of the critics that have called for concern after the club's slow start. Now, the Dodgers and Diamondbacks are tied for first place, with both teams standing at 12-11.

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