MLB: LA Dodgers 5, Houston 2

HOUSTON, July 3 (UPI) -- James Loney homered, drove in two runs and scored twice Thursday to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers past Houston 5-2.

Loney hit an RBI double in the first inning and then added a solo homer in the sixth. Andre Ethier also homered and Blake DeWitt had two RBI for the Dodgers, who won three straight to win the four-game series in Houston and have won five of their last seven games.

Chad Billingsley (8-7) went eight innings for LA, allowed two unearned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk to get his fourth straight win.

Takashi Saito gave up two hits but pitched a scoreless ninth to get his 14th save.

J.R. Towles had a two-run double, while Mark Loretta and Carlos Lee had two hits apiece for the Astros, who have lost three straight games following three straight wins.

Brandon Backe (5-9) took the loss, giving up five runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

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