SAN FRANCISCO — The Houston Astros received an All-Star effort from Roy Oswalt and he's hoping it could spark a run in the second half.

Oswalt pitched eight strong innings in a 7-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants yesterday.

"Any time you get three runs it's a lot less stressful," Oswalt said. "We have Pittsburgh and Washington coming in, so hopefully we can get back to .500 (they're 39-41) and make a run for it like we usually do."

Miguel Tejada, Hunter Pence and Jason Michaels each hit solo home runs for the Astros, who had been shut out in their past two games against the Giants.

A three-time All-Star, Oswalt (5-4) gave up three hits, struck out six and walked one. He also had a two-run single in the eighth.

"Just a great outing from Roy," Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. "I hope he pitches this way during the second half. We can jump on his back."

Giants starter Randy Johnson (8-6) left the game with a left shoulder strain, injured during a plate appearance, after committing a throwing error in the top of the fourth inning.

Johnson allowed four runs on five hits over 3 2/3 innings. He struck out two.

"I'm going to make this short," Johnson said. "Right now it's a strain and I'm going for an MRI tomorrow. That's all I'm going to say."

PHILLIES 2, METS 0:

Joe Blanton pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning and Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley each homered off Johan Santana, leading host Philadelphia over New York to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rival. The defending World Series Champions pushed the third-place Mets four games back in the NL East.

DODGERS 7, PADRES 6, 13 INNINGS:

James Loney led off the 13th inning with a homer off Edward Mujica (2-4) as Los Angeles took two of three from host San Diego. Manny Ramirez didn't start for the first time since he returned from a 50-game drug suspension on Friday. Manager Joe Torre said he wanted Ramirez to rest his legs.

DIAMONDBACKS 4, ROCKIES 3:

Mark Reynolds hit a three-run homer and Felipe Lopez broke a tie game with an RBI single in the seventh as Arizona won two of three from host Colorado. Dan Haren (8-5) allowed three runs — one earned — before being taken out in the seventh for a pinch hitter.

NATIONALS 5, BRAVES 3:

Scott Olsen (2-4) allowed three runs and eight hits over 8 2/3 innings, newly acquired Nyjer Morgan had three hits and host Washington beat Atlanta for its second straight victory. Olsen helped his own cause with his first two hits of the season, including an RBI single.

CARDINALS 10, REDS 1:

Colby Rasmus' homer started St. Louis' eight-run onslaught against right-hander Bronson Arroyo (8-8) as the Cardinals won two of three from visiting Cincinnati. Chris Carpenter (6-3) gave up a run and five hits in seven innings for the win.

MARLINS 5, PIRATES 0:

Ricky Nolasco (6-6) struck out 12 in eight innings to win his fourth consecutive start, and host Florida won two of three from Pittsburgh. Nolasco allowed three hits and missed his career high for strikeouts by one, set Aug. 2 against Colorado.

CUBS 8, BREWERS 2:

Ted Lilly allowed two runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, and Derrek Lee hit a two-run homer as host Chicago won took three of four from Milwaukee. Lily, an All-Star selection, struck out nine, including the side in the fifth.

YANKEES 10, BLUE JAYS 8:

Derek Jeter had four hits, including the go-ahead two-run homer, Hideki Matsui homered and drove in four runs, and host New York rallied from a four-run deficit to beat Toronto. It was New York's fifth straight win over the Blue Jays. Jeter homered off B.J. Ryan (1-1) in the fourth inning.

RED SOX 8, MARINERS 4:

David Ortiz had a tying RBI single and Mark Kotsay added a key two-run hit during a five-run seventh inning as host Boston avoided a three-game sweep by Seattle. All-Star Dustin Pedroia, Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury homered for the Red Sox, who have not been swept at home this season.

ROYALS 6, WHITE SOX 3:

Alberto Callaspo got his fourth RBI in two days and Miguel Olivo hit a two-run homer to help host Kansas City earn a split of its four-game series with Chicago. Brian Bannister (6-6) held Chicago to five hits and two runs through six innings.

TWINS 6, TIGERS 2:

All-Star Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning as host Minnesota took two of three from Detroit. Nick Blackburn (7-4) took a shutout into the ninth inning before left fielder Denard Span dropped a line drive for an error and Brandon Inge followed with a two-run home run, his 19th.

ATHLETICS 5, INDIANS 2:

Gio Gonzalez pitched six strong innings for his first win of the season and Oakland avoided a three-game sweep by host Cleveland. Gonzalez (1-2) allowed two runs, six hits, and struck out a career-high eight.

ANGELS 9, ORIOLES 6:

Vladimir Guerrero hit a tying two-run homer in his first game back in right field, and host Los Angeles won three of four from Baltimore. Guerrero, who played in the outfield for the first time this season after missing 35 games with a torn pectoral muscle, hit home runs in back-to-back games for the first time since July 19-20 last season.

RANGERS 5, RAYS 2:

Scott Feldman allowed three hits in six innings, David Murphy had three hits and an RBI, and host Texas completed a three-game sweep of Tampa Bay. Feldman (7-2) gave up two runs, struck out two and walked four to help the Rangers win their fifth straight.