(Sports Network) - The Dodgers won't have their All-Star closer for a second straight day but with Clayton Kershaw taking the mound and an offense that has found its power stroke, they might not have needed him anyway.

Kershaw aims to post a sixth straight solid start this afternoon in Los Angeles' finale of a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.

Kershaw has been on a roll over his last five starts, going 3-0 in that span and allowing just two runs over 29 2/3 innings, with Los Angeles winning all five contests.

The 21-year-old southpaw hasn't given up a run in his last 11 innings, tossing five shutout frames in a no-decision versus the Rockies on July 1 before holding the Mets scoreless in six innings on Tuesday. Kershaw worked around three hits and two walks, fanning seven while improving to 6-5 with a 3.27 earned run average on the season.

Kershaw got a no-decision in his only other start versus Milwaukee, giving up a run over six innings of work.

One day after belting five home runs in winning Friday's opener, Rafael Furcal connected on a two-run shot for Los Angeles and Andre Ethier added a solo homer, but the Dodgers fell in defeat, 6-3. It was just the team's second loss in six games and Los Angeles will still carry baseball's best record into the break regardless of today's outcome.

Jeff Weaver was handed the loss as he gave up four runs -- two earned -- on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts in just 3 1/3 innings.

"That's probably the worst outing he's had," said Dodgers manager Joe Torre about Weaver. "He was fighting himself and that's the first time he's had a problem with his command."

Closer Jonathan Broxton wasn't available due to a sore big toe in his right foot and he's expected to miss Sunday's game as well as next week's All-Star Game. Broxton has 20 saves on the season.

"It's disappointing, but we have our year, too," Broxton told LA's Web site. "It's just a game, and I wish I could play in it, but it's a situation where I need some days off."

The Brewers will look to take advantage of the shorthanded Dodgers as they aim to get closer to first place in the National League Central. Yesterday's win pulled Milwaukee to within two games of first-place St. Louis, which plays a doubleheader today with Chicago.

Frank Catalanotto hit a solo homer, Prince Fielder had two hits and drove in his 78th run of the year, and J.J. Hardy ended with two hits and two RBI in the victory.

"The night kind of belonged to Hardy," said Brewers manager Ken Macha. "In the eighth, he delivered a big two-out double that scored two runs. And it was a good night for Prince."

Yovani Gallardo hopes to get on track for the Brewers today, as the right- hander has lost two straight and three of his last four starts. He struggled versus the Cardinals on Tuesday, getting charged with four runs on six hits and five walks over five innings.

Gallardo, who has never before faced the Dodgers, is 8-6 with a 2.95 ERA on the season.

Los Angeles and Milwaukee are meeting for the first time since the Dodgers won four of six meetings a season ago. The Dodgers are 8-4 over the last 12 matchups between the clubs.