--LHP Barry Zito earned a no-decision in the Giants' loss to Houston, which means that Zito will not become the first man since Mike Boddicker in 1988 to go 0-8 in his first eight starts. It was Zito's third quality start of the season, and he also got some run support, with three, after the Giants managed just nine runs in his first seven starts.

--2B Ray Durham, who hasn't started since May 2, is days away from rejoining the lineup, manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. Durham stretched with the team, did some running and took batting practice. Durham has been limited to pinch-hitting the past 10 days.

--1B John Bowker is 11 for his past 21 after drilling his third homer of the season. The rookie is batting .282 despite a 1-for-26 skid that ended just more than a week ago. His homer Monday was his first since his major league debut, when he belted two.

--RHP Merkin Valdez's streak of six appearances and 6 1/3 innings without allowing a run ended when he allowed two hits, a walk and three runs, one earned, on Monday. Valdez entered the night with a 0.61 ERA in his previous 15 appearances and opponents were hitting .196 against him in that span.

--SS Omar Vizquel was back in the second spot in the order after hitting eighth the day before and drawing three intentional walks in front of Giants pitchers. Vizquel provided an RBI double in the third inning. He's batting .400 in his three games since coming off the DL.

BY THE NUMBERS
91-85 -- Giants' interleague record, one of just seven NL teams above .500 in interleague history.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I was kidding with him that he must have had No. 25 on his back." -- Manager Bruce Bochy on Omar Vizquel, who drew three intentional walks for the first time in his career. Barry Bonds wore No. 25.

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