The Dodgers beat the Houston Astros 5-2 tonight at Dodger Stadium. For a full box score click here.

BARE ESSENTIALS

* Orlando Hudson went 3-for-4 with a triple and an RBI, and is now 9-for-14 (.643) with a double, two triples, two homers, and three RBI in his last four games.

* Clayton Kershaw didn’t give up a run in seven strong innings, surrendering just two hits while striking out five.

* The Dodgers improved to 57-34, the best record in all of baseball, 1.5 games ahead of Boston (55-35).

ETC…ETC:

* Kershaw is unbeaten in his last seven starts, going 5-0 with a 0.63 ERA (3 ER/42.2 IP). The Dodgers are 7-0 in his last seven starts.

* Los Angeles remained the only team in the Majors that has yet to lose three games in a row. The Dodgers have not lost three games in a row since dropping eight straight from August 22-29, 2008.

* Prior to the game, the Dodgers announced that RHP Jason Schmidt will be activated from the 60-day disabled list (shoulder surgery) to make his first start since June 16, 2007 on Monday vs. Cincinnati.

* Joe Torre’s clubs have now won games in five consecutive years on his birthday.

ON DECK:

* In the finale of the four-game series Sunday, the Dodgers send RHP Hiroki Kuroda (3-5, 4.67) against RHP Russ Ortiz (3-4, 4.44)