Padres finish sweep of D-backs to maintain momentum into postseason

(Photo credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images)

Manny Machado homered and Jackson Merrill knocked in three runs as the San Diego Padres tuned up for the National League playoffs with a 12-4 rout of the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

J.P. Sears (9-11) twirled 5 2/3 innings and threw a season-high 113 pitches for the win, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks to go with four strikeouts. San Diego