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Aug 3, 2009 - 4:59 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Milwaukee (51-53) at Los Angeles (64-40), 10:10 p.m. EDT

An offensive burst from Matt Kemp helped the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers conclude a seven-game road trip in strong fashion.

Kemp and the Dodgers will try to carry some of that momentum back home Monday night when they open a three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Kemp tied a career high by driving in five runs on three hits, including a three-run homer, as the Dodgers (65-40) matched a season high with 19 hits in a 9-1 win at Atlanta on Sunday. The victory was their third in four games after opening the trip with three consecutive defeats.

"Three and four doesn't sound like a good road trip, but when you lost the first three it's pretty good, especially considering who we had to beat (Sunday)," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said.

Kemp has keyed the resurgence, hitting .389 (7 for 18) with eight RBIs over the last four games. However, the center fielder has been better on the road than at home this season, batting .342 with 36 RBIs compared to .286 while plating 28 runs.

He's 2 for 16 in the last four home games, but has a .326 average in 13 career games against the Brewers (52-53).

Kemp now looks to provide some support for Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 2.76), who is 5-0 with a 0.79 ERA in his last nine starts - but the Dodgers have lost the last two. The 21-year-old left-hander yielded four hits and struck out seven in eight scoreless innings of a 3-2, 15-inning defeat at St. Louis on Wednesday.

"I try to keep my confidence the same no matter if I'm pitching good or bad, but obviously in a stretch like I'm in, you get a little bit of confidence," Kershaw told the club's official Web site.

Kershaw's impressive stretch includes a 7-4 win at Milwaukee (52-53) on July 12, as he allowed one run and two hits in six innings to help the Los Angeles take two of three in that series.

The Dodgers have won 19 of the last 25 meetings with the Brewers at Dodger Stadium.

Milwaukee is coming off Sunday's 6-1 win at San Diego to avoid getting swept in the three-game series. That victory was the Brewers' fifth in 17 road games.

"We're looking to get any one (win) we can right now," manager Ken Macha said.

Milwaukee learned Sunday that Corey Hart will undergo an appendectomy and land on the 15-day disabled list. The right fielder complained of stomach and side pains while going 0 for 3 in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Padres and the pain persisted Sunday.

Hart is batting .264 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs in 98 games this season, and third baseman Bill Hall is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Nashville to take the roster spot.

The Brewers will turn to Manny Parra (5-8, 6.50), who is 2-0 in his last three starts despite a 5.29 ERA.

He beat Washington on Wednesday despite allowing five runs, nine hits and five walks in six innings as Milwaukee won 7-5.

"The guys have been scoring runs lately and doing their job, so I want to do mine," Parra told the Brewers' official Web site. "For us, it's all going to be dependent on pitching."

Parra is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles.