Gardner Sharp, Meadows Isn’t and Giants Win, 3-0

Mark Gardner allowed only five hits in seven scoreless innings to win his fifth consecutive decision and the San Francisco Giants took advantage of Brian Meadows’ first-inning control problems to beat the Padres, 3-0, Monday night at San Diego.

Gardner (7-4), who took the rotation spot of Russ Ortiz to start the second half, has won five of his last six starts. He was coming off a no-decision in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Padres at San Francisco last Wednesday night.

Gardner struck out eight and walked one. After allowing Ryan Klesko’s two-out single in the first, Gardner retired nine in a row.

Robb Nen got the final three outs for his 23rd save in 28 chances.

Meadows (7-8) pitched eight strong innings against the Giants last Wednesday, but lost his third consecutive decision because of his inability to throw strikes in the first inning. Throwing 34 pitches, he allowed three runs on three walks and three singles.

With one out, Meadows loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. He then issued consecutive walks to Ellis Burks and J.T. Snow to force in the first two runs, followed by a two-out single to Doug Mirabelli. Meadows had 1-2 counts against both Burks and Snow.

Houston 7, Cincinnati 5--The Astros scored three runs in the final two innings off all-star closer Danny Graves at Cincinnati and they have now won three in a row for the first time this season.

“That was the biggest win of the year for us,” Manager Larry Dierker said.

A night that started with another long ovation for Cincinnati’s Barry Larkin ended with boos and finally silence from the crowd of 28,741.

Things were looking good for the Reds after Ken Griffey Jr.’s bases-loaded triple put them ahead, 5-2, in the fifth. But the Astros did something they’ve rarely done all season, rallying for a close win. Houston is 6-25 in games decided by one or two runs this season.