The Dodgers fell behind in the NL West, but brought out the brooms this weekend. With a sweep, they took back what was theirs.

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.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson showed love to Mookie Betts and the L.A. Dodgers after sweeping the San Diego Padres.

Magic Johnson is a big part of the Los Angeles professional teams. With the bullpen going down a rough patch, he has highlighted someone that has been a bright spot.

Betts’ eighth-inning home run breaks a 4-4 tie and completes the sweep with a 5-4 victory over the Padres. It also extends a hot streak born of a different approach.

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.

Preview the Aug. 17 matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.