Andy Pettitte pitched seven sharp innings to extend one of the best runs of his career, and the Houston Astros beat up on the slumping Pirates 8-0 in Pittsburgh on Wednesday to complete a four-game sweep.

　　Lance Berkman gave Pettitte the lead even before the left-hander took the mound with his second homer in as many games. Mike Lamb hit a three-run homer in a four-run sixth inning that made it 5-0 against Josh Fogg (4-6).

　　"You have a great series to this point...but we needed something to get over the top today and that big inning gave us some breathing room," Houston manager Phil Garner said.

　　Pettitte (7-7) improved to 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his last six starts. He struck out seven and walked one, allowing only one runner to reach second after striking out Jose Castillo to leave the bases loaded in the first.

　　"It's been tight all year, but we're coming around," Pettitte said. "The guys are swinging it better and you can tell they're feeling better about themselves and that's good."

　　Russ Springer and Chad Harville each pitched an inning to complete the Astros' seventh shutout and the seventh against Pittsburgh. Pettitte improved to 4-1 against the Pirates in his career. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last six starts and nine of his last 10, despite a record that's misleading due to a nearly season-long lack of run support.

　　Elsewhere in the National League, it was: Braves 4, Giants 1; Mets 7, Padres 3; Reds 9, Cubs 3; Dodgers 10, Phillies 2; Rockies 3, Nationals 2; Cardinals 4, Brewers 2; and Marlins 9, Diamondbacks 2.

　　In San Francisco, John Smoltz pitched eight smooth innings for his seventh straight win, and rookie Jeff Francoeur went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in Atlanta's victory.

　　Smoltz (11-5) allowed six hits and struck out seven. He didn't walk a batter and permitted just two runners to reach second base in his first victory over San Francisco since April 1996.

　　He even added a run-scoring double in the seventh, padding a lead that was never threatened by the Giants' meek bats.

　　The five-time All-Star remained unbeaten in eight starts since June 6 while improving to 11-14 in his career against the Giants. The St Louis Cardinals are the only other NL team with a winning record against Smoltz over his career.

　　Chris Reitsma pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 14 chances.

　　In the American League, the Red Sox gave David Wells great run support again, scoring five times before making an out and winning 9-4 over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Boston.

　　"I think he can get used to having a lead for sure," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "But at the same time once he gets that lead he knows what to do with it."

　　One start after staking Wells to a 17-1 lead, the Red Sox scored six runs in the first inning and led 9-2 when he left after seven. Wells (8-5) earned his seventh win in eight decisions, allowing two runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts.

　　Johnny Damon homered and Kevin Millar scored three runs for the Red Sox. Second baseman Tony Graffanino, acquired in one of two trades on Tuesday, had an RBI double.

　　Mark Hendrickson (4-7) failed to get an out, allowing two doubles, two singles and two walks to six batters.

　　Eduardo Perez hit a two-run homer for Tampa Bay, and Devils Rays third baseman Alex Gonzalez made three errors.

　　Elsewhere in the AL, it was: Twins 3, Orioles 2; Tigers 8, White Sox 6; Yankees 8, Rangers 4; Blue Jays 9, Mariners 4; Royals 5, Indians 3; and Athletics 3, Angels 0.

　　(The Associated Press)