Gavin Sheets celebrates with Jackson Merrill #3 and Manny Machado after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the New York Mets at Petco Park on July 30. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

With the trade deadline and an off day looming on Thursday, the Mets gave an empty effort and were swept by the Padres at Petco Park.

PITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: Clay Holmes (9-5, 3.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 88 strikeouts); Padres: Yu Darvish (0-3, 9.18 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 11 strikeouts) BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres and the New York Mets square off in the last game of a three-game series. The Padres can sweep the series with a win.