Late game rally brings NL Central closer

HOUSTON -- With the Astros trailing in the late innings, Jose Vizcaino came up with a big hit that kept them from dropping even farther back in the NL Central.\nVizcaino pinch hit in the seventh inning and singled home two runs to lead Houston over a lineup of San Francisco substitutes 2-1 Wednesday.\nHouston, which began the day one game behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs, stopped a four-game losing streak, which had tied a season high.\nRoy Oswalt (10-5) won his fourth straight start since coming off the disabled list, allowing three hits in eight innings, including Pedro Feliz's second-inning homer. Oswalt struck out six and walked none.\nSidney Ponson (3-6), backed by three double plays, allowed just two singles in the first six innings, but got in trouble in the seventh.\nPonson hit Jeff Kent with a pitch with two outs and Lance Berkman followed with a double off the left-field scoreboard, sending Kent to third.\nSan Francisco intentionally walked Richard Hidalgo and Vizcaino, batting for Brad Ausmus, lined a single to center to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs. Hidalgo was thrown out at third when first baseman Andres Galarraga cut off the throw from center fielder Jeffrey Hammonds.\nSan Francisco, which already has clinched the NL West, rested many of its regulars. Barry Bonds pinch hit leading off the ninth and was struck out by Billy Wagner, who got three straight outs for his 44th save in 47 chances.\nSan Francisco lost for only the second time in 15 games at Minute Maid Park.\nPonson, making his 10th start since he was acquired from Baltimore at July's trade deadline, allowed two runs, four hits and four walks in seven innings.\nFeliz, whose two-run homer helped the Giants to a 6-3 victory Monday night, put San Francisco ahead with his 15th homer.\nOswalt retired his next eight batters before Feliz singled in the fifth. He was erased when Neifi Perez grounded into a double play. Galarraga's two-out single in the seventh gave San Francisco its only runner after that, but he was stranded when Oswalt struck out Feliz.