By GREG BEACHAM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although the Padres and the Dodgers know it’s only spring, every remarkable thing that happened in their seven games over the past 10 days proved this matchup was far more important than your average April baseball.
When a distinctly autumnal chill settled in Chavez Ravine while their seventh exhausting meeting stretched into extra innings Sunday night, both teams and their fans could be forgiven for thinking ahead to the bigger, colder nights possibly on the way.
“Definitely a good preview of what should come in October,” San Diego’s Eric Hosmer said.
The Padres could take plenty of extra warmth back home after a stirring comeback and an impressive finish gave them an early advantage in this unfolding showdown.[caption id="attachment_
