Dodgers' Andre Ethier has a giant night

Casey Blake also homered and Matt Kemp, who changed his walk-up music to Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" as a tribute to the late pop icon, legged out a triple in the fifth. After easing up as he approached second base, Kemp took off for third when he noticed that center fielder Franklin Gutierrez had made a casual toss back toward the infield.

Kemp scored when Kershaw reached out and poked a single to left-center for his first career RBI.

Kershaw (5-5) was also plenty effective on the mound, giving up five hits and two runs. He had eight strikeouts and one walk.

After three perfect innings, the left-hander wobbled a bit in the fourth. Ichiro Suzuki and Russell Branyan led off with consecutive singles, and Suzuki came around to score one out later on Jose Lopez's single up the middle that ended Kershaw's 15 2/3 -inning scoreless streak.

A walk to Gutierrez loaded the bases for Kenji Johjima, who grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Torre pulled Kershaw after he gave up a second run in the sixth, with Guillermo Mota and Ronald Belisario combining on three innings of scoreless relief.

Kershaw was just glad he didn't have to face Ethier.

"He's so tough," Kershaw said. "When he's hot there's no right way to pitch to him. Maybe walking him is the best idea."

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ben.bolch@latimes.com