Giants, Lowry shut down Astros

SAN FRANCISCO - Noah Lowry allowed one hit in seven scoreless innings to help the San Francisco Giants win a home series for the first time since May, beating the Houston Astros, 5-2 on Saturday.

Edgardo Alfonzo added a pair of RBI singles, and Mike Matheny hit a home run for the Giants, who have won three consecutive games for the first time since a four-game winning streak June 28-July 1.

San Francisco, which has the worst home record in the National League, has won its first series at SBC Park since taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers from May 24-26.

In New York, Jae Seo, recalled from the minor leagues to make the start, outpitched Greg Maddux as New York beat Chicago.

Seo (3-1) allowed just four hits in 7Q innings, sending the Cubs to their fourth loss in a row and fifth in the past six games. He struck out four and walked one.

Tired of the inconsistent pitching of Kaz Ishii, the Mets sent the left-hander to Triple-A Norfolk and brought back Seo for the second time this season. He was 2-1 in his earlier stint, including pitching seven innings of one-hit ball against Philadelphia on May 4.

Former USC Aiken pitcher Roberto Hernandez ended his string of poor outings by striking out Derrek Lee with two men on to end the eighth, and Braden Looper finished for his 23rd save.

PIRATES 9, DODGERS 4

In 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 the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Duke (5-0) gave up four runs and 10 hits in 7Q innings, the first time he has allowed more than one run since giving up three in 7w innings in his July 2 debut.

REDS 4, MARLINS 3

In Cincinnati, Ken Griffey Jr. doubled to start Cincinnati's two-run sixth inning and the Reds rallied for a victory over Florida.

Adam Dunn followed Griffey's double to right off Brian Moehler with a walk, and Sean Casey singled to load the bases. Guillermo Mota relieved Moehler and Austin Kearns' slow groundout to third allowed Griffey to score the tying run.

Javier Valentin was walked to reload the bases, and Rich Aurilia drove in Dunn with a forceout grounder to second baseman Luis Castillo.

PADRES 3, NATIONALS 2

In Washington, the Washington Nationals held a closed-door clubhouse meeting for more than 1 hours, then went out and lost another one-run decision on a RBI double by San Diego's Joe Randa in the seventh inning.

The NL West-leading Padres raised their record back to .500 (55-55), while the Nationals fell to 6-16 since the All-Star break. The Nationals were 24-8 in one-run games on July 8; they're 0-13 since in such contests.

PHILLIES 8, BREWERS 2

In 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 defeated Milwaukee.

Ed Betz/associated pressNew York's David Wright follows through on his RBI double against Greg Maddux in the first inning Saturday.