In-form Astros rally to soar over Giants

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Houston Astros rallied from an early three-run deficit to notch a fourth straight victory with a 7-3 triumph against the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

High-priced Giants pitcher Barry Zito did not figure in the decision, leaving after six innings with the score tied at 3-3.

However, his disappointing record remained 0-7 for the season.

Houston's Roy Oswalt fared much better after also struggling early in the season.

Oswalt won his fourth in a row after starting the season 0-3. He retired the final 14 batters he faced and struck out six over eight innings.

"That's big not only for us but for Roy," Astros manager Cecil Cooper told reporters.

"He hadn't seen the eighth inning but once, I think."

Zito, who signed a $126 million, seven-year contract with the Giants (16-23) last season., held a 3-0 lead until Miguel Tejada's sacrifice fly gave the Astros their first run in the sixth.

Lance Berkman followed with his 13th homer of the season, a two-run shot, to tie the score. He went 3-for-4 for the game to continue his hot-hitting streak.

Vinnie Chulk took over from Zito in the seventh and gave up the tie-breaking run on Hunter Pence's sacrifice fly.

Houston (22-17) scored three more runs in the eighth to complete the comeback.

(Writing by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by John O'Brien)