Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake and James Loney drove in two runs apiece to help the Los Angeles Dodgers win their ninth consecutive game by defeating the visiting Houston Astros 7-3 on Tuesday night.

Houston (13-26) has lost five straight games and continues to have the worst record in the National League.

Jamey Carroll gave the Dodgers (22-17) the lead for good with a fourth-inning sacrifice fly and Ramirez followed with a two-run single in the fifth to make it 6-3.

Blake went 3-for-4 and provided insurance with an eighth-inning homer.

Loney had a two-run single in the first inning and scored on a single by Blake as the Dodgers jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead.

The Astros rallied to tie the game behind the hitting of Carlos Lee, who homered to lead off the second and had a two-run single in the third.

Hiroki Kuroda (5-1) won his third consecutive decision. Kuroda allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings.

Houston’s Bud Norris (2-5) gave up six runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.