Giants slip past Astros

Any Giants victory is cause forcelebration these days, so while Friday night's 2-1 victory overHouston didn't exactly signal a breakout, it at least alleviated afew of the foreboding vibes surrounding the club. For starters, the Giants won a game with their besthitter, Pablo Sandoval, who took a day off to rest some naggingaches to his shoulder and quad. They also received a sterlingdefensive contribution from little-used Mark DeRosa, who started atfirst base in place of the struggling Aubrey Huff.