SPORTSTICKER NL RECAP SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Jose Lima continued to show he is among the National League's elite pitchers. Facing only three batters above the minimum, Lima worked eight strong innings to win his eighth straight start and help the Houston Astros avoid a three-game sweep with a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Lima (8-1) became the NL's first eight-game winner, allowing a leadoff home run to Marvin Benard in the bottom of the first but little else. He scattered two singles and a double the rest of the way, walking two and striking out two. Unbeaten since his first start of the season on April 8, Lima lowered his ERA from 2.98 to 2.76. Billy Wagner tossed a hitless ninth for his 12th save in 13 chances. Jeff Bagwell took care of the offense with a three-run homer that snapped a tie in the seventh inning. Houston wrapped up a 3-3 road trip and improved to an NL-best 11-2 when facing lefthanded starters. Rookie Joe Nathan (2-1) surrendered Bagwell's home run after erratic starter Shawn Estes gave up one run and three hits in 5 1/3 innings with six walks and seven strikeouts. Four Giants' pitchers walked eight batters, three of whom scored. San Francisco had a three-game winning streak stopped.  