Berkman Stays Hot, Astros Top Giants

For Barry Zito, a no-decision became a positive thing _ a sign of progress. Lance Berkman is too much for any pitcher to handle right now. Hunter Pence hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh, Berkman had a tying two-run homer off Zito and the surging Houston Astros beat the San Francisco Giants 7-3 on Monday night for their fourth straight victory.

Roy Oswalt (4-3) retired the final 14 batters he faced to win his fourth straight decision since starting the season 0-3, and the right-hander struck out six in eight innings without giving up a walk. Vinnie Chulk (0-1) gave up Pence's sacrifice fly in the seventh on the way to the loss. (More baseball stories.)