San Francisco ? Cody Ransom singled up the middle with two outs in the ninth to drive in the winning run, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.

After Dustan Mohr’s two-out single, Guillermo Mota (3-2) walked pinch-hitter Damon Minor and Ray Durham to load the bases for Ransom, who got just his fifth RBI of the season.

Matt Herges (4-2) pitched 11/3 innings for the win, but blew his fifth save in the top of the ninth.

Jayson Werth singled to left to score pinch-runner Dave Roberts from third to tie it at 2. That spoiled what would’ve been the first time Giants starter Kirk Rueter won back-to-back starts this season.

The Giants, who have won 12 of their last 13 at home, gained ground in the NL West race with the victory. San Francisco moved within a half-game of first-place Los Angeles by winning the opener of this four-game rivalry series that both clubs consider important since most expect a tight NL West race until the end.

Both teams were coming off weekend series wins against the AL East powers — San Francisco beat Boston two out of three, and Los Angeles took two of three from the New York Yankees.

The Dodgers took five of six meetings from the Giants in April, including a three-game sweep in San Francisco from April 16-18 — all one-run games.

They seem to be set on playing close ones again.

Rueter, who pitched seven strong innings to beat Toronto last week, allowed one run on seven hits in 62/3 innings, struck out one and walked three.

Los Angeles catcher Paul Lo Duca, right, bobbles the throw as San Francisco's Ray Durham scores in the sixth inning. The Giants won, 3-2, Monday in San Francisco.

Astros 7, Pirates 5

Houston — Lance Berkman hit a tying three-run double, and Jeff Kent drove in the go-ahead run in a big fifth inning, helping Houston rally past Pittsburgh. Berkman had four RBIs, and Jason Lane homered for the Astros, who came back from a 4-0 deficit to win their second in a row.

Kent had to leave after the seventh inning after jamming his right pinkie while sliding into third base in the fifth.

Padres 3, D’backs 1

San Diego — Phil Nevin hit a rare home run at Petco Park, and Trevor Hoffman earned his 368th save to take sole possession of fourth place on the career list.

It was just the fourth win in 13 games for the Padres, who were roughed up by AL East teams in interleague play.

Hoffman, who was tied with Jeff Reardon for fourth all-time, threw a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances. Next up on the career list is Dennis Eckersley, who’s going into the Hall of Fame on July 25, with 390.

Nevin’s two-run shot off Casey Fossum with two outs in the third gave the Padres a 2-1 lead. Nevin drove a 2-0 pitch an estimated 325 feet into the home run porch down the right-field line.

It was just the 18th homer for the Padres in 35 home games at their new downtown ballpark.