The Dodgers defeated the Astros 4-3 today at Dodger Stadium, For a full box and recap click here.

THE BARE ESSENTIALS:

* Matt Kemp blasted a two-out homer in the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie and help the Dodgers earn a series split. Kemp was 3 for 3 on the day. In a word, Kemp was sensational today.

* Jonathan Broxton earned the save and is now 11-for-11 in save opportunities at Dodger Stadium, and has a 0.38 ERA (1 ER/23.2 IP) in 21 games here overall.

* Guillermo Mota extended his scoreless innings streak to 15.0 over his last 13 appearances…he has allowed just three hits in that time.

* Andre Ethier went 3-for-4 after going 3-for-16 in his previous four games with an at-bat.

ETC…ETC:

* The Dodgers have the best record in baseball at 58-34, 2.5 games better than the Red Sox (55-36).

* The Dodgers are a season-high 24 games above .500 for the third time…they were also 24 up at 56-32 on July 12 and at 55-31 on July 10.

* The Dodgers won for the 18th time in their last at-bat.

* The Dodgers improved to 19-9 in one-run games, including a 15-2 mark at Dodger Stadium.

ON DECK:

* The Dodgers open a three-game series against the Reds Monday, sending RHP Jason Schmidt (No Record) against RHP Micah Owings (6-9, 4.94),