Three-Run Ninth Inning Lifts Astros Over Dodgers, 4-3

The Dodgers took a two-run lead into the ninth inning, but Kenley Jansen allowed three runs with two outs, giving the Houston Astros a 4-3 comeback win over L.A. in the first game of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park. It was the third straight loss and eighth defeat in 10 games for the Dodgers, who fell to seven and a half games out of first place in the National League West. Jansen was wild in the ninth, but was left in to throw 38 pitches, the final one a single by Hunter Pence to score Michael Bourn with the winning run.

The game was looking like a Dodger win, especially after the Dodgers took the lead in the seventh inning. Starter Clayton Kershaw was pulled after throwing 84 pitches in six innings, in favor of Andre Ethier, who didn't start with several nagging injuries from crashing into the wall on Sunday. Ethier delivered an RBI single, a ball that went under Bourn's glove in center field, allowing the Dodgers to take a 3-1 lead.

Matt Kemp hit his 100th career home run, the 16th Los Angeles Dodger and 25th in franchise history, dating back to Brooklyn, to do so. Kemp also became just the sixth Dodger in the 128-year franchise history to have 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases. Chad Billingsley gets the start for the Dodgers on Tuesday, facing J.A. Happ for Houston.

For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.

Dodgers Vs. Astros Starting Lineups: Andre Ethier, Rod Barajas Out

The Dodgers look to snap a two-game losing streak Monday night as they open a three-game series against the Astros at Minute Main Park in Houston. Clayton Kershaw gets the start for the Dodgers, while Bud Norris starts for the Astros. Both Andre Ethier and Rod Barajas, who suffered injuries in Sunday's loss to the White Sox, are out of the lineup tonight.

James Loney, who has an eight-game hitting streak during which he has hit five doubles, is hitting third tonight for the first time this season, in place of Ethier. Aaron Miles, who missed the last four games with a sore ribcage, is back in the lineup for the Dodgers, and hitting second. Here are tonight's starting lineups:

Dodgers (21-27)

Furcal SS
Miles 2B
Loney 1B
Kemp CF
Gibbons RF
Sands LF
Navarro C
Mitchell 3B
Kershaw P

Astros (17-30)

Bourn CF
Barmes SS
Pence RF
Lee 1B
Michaels LF
Johnson 3B
Hall 2B
Quintero C
Norris P

Tonight's 5:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by KCAL. For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.

Kershaw, Dodgers Continue Road Trip In Houston Against Astros

The walking wounded that are the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road trip Monday night in Houston, facing the Astros, the team with the worst record in the National League, in the opener of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park. The Dodgers, who aren't that much better at 21-27, will send Clayton Kershaw to the mound. Bud Norris starts for Houston.

In 19 games in May, the Dodgers are averaging just 2.74 runs per contest. They have scored four or more runs just six times in May, but four of those games have been starts by Kershaw. The left-hander is 5-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 10 starts this season, and is fourth in the National League with 70 strikeouts this season.

The Dodgers head into Houston with eight players currently on the disabled list, and a trio of injured players who may or may not join the infirmary. Andre Ethier hurt his right elbow, his lower back, and his left big toe crashing into the wall Sunday, catcher Rod Barajas sprained his right wrist making a tag at home plate, and infielder Aaron Miles has missed four straight games with a sore ribcage.

Norris is 2-3 with a 3.93 ERA in nine starts this season, including 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in five home starts this season. The Astros have lost six of their last eight games, while the Dodgers have lost seven of their last nine contests.

Tonight's 5:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by KCAL. For more news and information on the Dodgers, or on tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.