The Dodgers came back from dropping two straight to beat the Astros 5-2 on Saturday and 4-3 on Sunday.
Clayton Kershaw was outstanding in his start Saturday, shutting out the Astros for seven innings while striking out five and allowing just two hits. James McDonald relieved him in the eighth but allowed two runs before being pulled for Leach and Troncoso, who finished off the inning. Jonathan Broxton picked up the save, loading the bases but striking out the side for his 21st save of the season.
The Dodgers jumped out for two runs in the first, with an RBI-triple by Orlando Hudson and RBI-single by Matt Kemp. They added three more in the sixth, getting lucky on one after an error.
Hiroki Kuroda gave the Dodgers a decent start on Sunday, going five innings and giving up three runs. His only big mistake was surrendering a two-run homerun in the third. Mota and Troncoso shared three hitless innings, with Troncoso picking up the win, and Broxton had a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.
The Dodgers spread out four runs in the game, starting in the third with an RBI-double by Brad Ausmus. They scored two more and Matt Kemp broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth with a two-out homerun.
The Reds come to town to open a series on Monday, with Jason Schmidt facing Micah Owings. This will be Schmidt’s first big league start in over two years.
