San Francisco — For a team that hadn't won a home series in more than two months, facing the National League's best team since the end of May and its trio of aces didn't figure to be the way to get out of a slump.
But San Francisco has been the team getting the stellar starts.
Noah Lowry allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings to help the Giants win a home series for the first time since May, beating the Houston Astros, 5-2, Saturday.
Lowry (7-11) followed Jason Schmidt's eight scoreless innings Friday, striking out eight and retiring 18 of the final 20 batters he faced.
After snapping Andy Pettitte's six-game winning streak in a 4-0 win Friday, the Giants tripped up Roy Oswalt (14-9) in the second game, handing him just his second loss in 10 decisions.
"We faced two good pitchers the last two days and did pretty well," first baseman J.T. Snow said. "We got good pitching. It all starts on the mound."
Lowry was the sharper pitcher this game, continuing his strong stretch since the All-Star break. Keeping the Astros off-balance with his off-speed pitches, the only hit he allowed came when Jason Lane singled off the left-field wall to lead off the second inning. Lowry lowered his earned-run average to 1.81 in five starts since the break.
The Giants will go for their first home sweep since opening week today.
Braves 8, Cardinals 1
St. Louis - Tim Hudson gave up one run in seven innings for his 100th career win, while Andruw Jones homered twice, one a grand slam, and Atlanta beat St. Louis. Hudson (8-6) struck out four, walked one and allowed six hits to earn his first victory since July 16.
Mets 2, Cubs 0
New York - Jae Seo, recalled from the minor leagues to make the start, outpitched Greg Maddux, and New York sent Chicago to its fourth straight loss and fifth in the last six games. Seo (3-1) allowed just four hits in 71â3 innings.
Pirates 9, Dodgers 4
Pittsburgh - Zach Duke became only the second rookie in Pirates history to win his first five decisions as a starter, giving up more than one run for only the second time in his short career in pitching Pittsburgh past Los Angeles. Duke (5-0) gave up four runs and 10 hits in 71â3 innings.
Reds 4, Marlins 3
Cincinnati - Ken Griffey Jr. doubled to start a two-run sixth inning, and Cincinnati rallied past Florida. The last five runs of the game were scored on wild pitches or outs, including one on a double play.
Padres 3, Nationals 2
Washington - Washington held a closed-door clubhouse meeting for more than 11â2 hours, then went out and lost another one-run decision on Joe Randa's RBI double in the seventh inning.
Phillies 8, Brewers 2
Philadelphia - Jon Lieber pitched seven strong innings for his 10th win, and Jimmy Rollins homered among his three hits and scored three runs as Philadelphia beat Milwaukee.
Rockies 14, D'backs 7
Phoenix - Ryan Shealy drove in four runs, and Dustan Mohr hit a two-run homer to highlight a five-run fourth inning.
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