It’s the same old story for Dodgers: nine consecutive victories with 7-3 win over Astros

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And they never lost again.

The end.

Or something like that. The Dodgers did win again Tuesday night, this time by a 7-3 score over the lowly Houston Astros.

It marked their ninth consecutive victory, their longest winning streak since they won 11 straight July 28-Aug. 11, 2006.

For those of you who knew me in my earlier life, the start of that winning streak coincided with my infamous July 27 column when I wrote the Dodgers off for the season. I loved that column.

At the time, they’d lost eight consecutive games and 13 of their last 14. They were 47-55 and 7½ games out. I smelled road kill.

After I wrote they were done, they not only won 11 consecutive games but 17 of their next 18. They went to 64-56 and 3½ games up.

I never have been properly thanked.

That team finished tied with the Padres for the National League West title and advanced to the playoffs as the wild-card team.

This current incarnation has loftier goals, having been to the last two NL Championship Series, and was understandably embarrassed at an 8-14 start that saw the team drop a quick six games back of the overachieving Padres.

But now bullets bounce off their chests, ladies swoon at their feet, the skies turn blue when they walk outside.

They have won with Manny Ramirez on the disabled list, with Rafael Furcal on the disabled list, and the last four games without Andre Ethier, also now on the disabled list. Should I mention opening-day starter Vicente Padilla is on the DL?

‘Even though pitching is always going to be a question mark, especially when your opening-day starter is on the DL, I knew we were better than what we showing,’ said Manager Joe Torre.

‘You just have to sort of show confidence in your players. I told them more than once, ‘I know we’re better than we’re playing.’ It’s just a matter of not losing our composure. Everything starts to fall in place when you pitch better.’’

Tuesday starter Hiroki Kuroda, the closest to a sure thing they’ve had in their rotation, was at less than his best and the Dodgers won anyway.

Kuroda (5-1) went six innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Not bad, but not exactly vintage Kuroda.

No matter, it was a ninth consecutive victory. They are now 22-17 and, I’m pretty sure, could be the first team to go 145-17.

Unless, of course, they actually do lose again.

--Steve Dilbeck