(August 11, 2008)--Brandon Backe struck out six in seven effective
innings, Ty Wigginton drove in three runs and the Houston Astros won their fifth straight game, beating the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Monday night.

Jose Valverde shut out the Giants in the ninth for his 29th save after LaTroy Hawkins pitched a perfect eighth for the Astros, who've won nine of their last 11. Houston has won five in a row for the first time since May 2-7.