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 Castro lifted a 2-0 fastball from Dodgers right-hander Chris Hatcher
(1-5) into the first row of seats in left field for his 11th home
run of the season.
The victory secured the Astros' first series sweep over the Dodgers
since May 9-11, 2008, at Dodger Stadium and kept them in charge of
the American League West division.
"It was kind of a special series," Castro said. "Going in with the
pitching we were going to face we knew it was going to be a tough
series, and for us to come out of that with a sweep was pretty
special."
Astros closer Luke Gregerson (7-2) earned the win with a scoreless
10th.
The Astros rallied against Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth
following a leadoff single from shortstop Carlos Correa, who then
stole second, and a run-scoring single from left fielder Marwin
Gonzalez to tie the game at 2-2.
Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw allowed one run on seven hits and
recorded 10 strikeouts over eight innings. But his dominance could
not prevent the Dodgers from suffering their season-worst fifth
consecutive loss.
"I hope we're panicking a little bit," Kershaw said.
"I think panic's a good thing to a certain extent.
"There's a sense of urgency. Maybe that's better to say than panic.
I feel like we've got to start playing like that.
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"Not to say we haven't, but it's definitely time to start thinking
that way."
The Dodgers (67-56) scraped across both runs off rookie right-hander
Lance McCullers, who was making his first start since Aug. 3
following a short stint at Double-A Corpus Christi.
He allowed eight hits and did not issue a walk while striking out
eight over seven innings.
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury)
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