Kershaw (8-5) allowed no runs on just two hits with five strikeouts and one walk for the Dodgers, who can salvage a split of the four-game series with a win Sunday.
Jonathan Broxton got his 21st save with a scoreless ninth in relief.
Orlando Hudson had three hits, including a triple, with one RBI and two runs scored for the Dodgers, who got a pair of RBI from Matt Kemp and one RBI from Mark Loretta.
Mike Hampton (5-7) went 5 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and two walks to take the loss for Houston, which lost for the first time in its last four games.
Jason Michaels drove in a run and Miguel Tejada ran his hitting streak to 11 games for the Astros.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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