Houston Astros pitcher Scott Kazmir throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals Friday in Kansas City, Mo. Kazmir won his debut, helping the Astros beat the Royals 4-0.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Scott Kazmir pitched seven strong innings in his Houston debut, leading the Astros to a 4-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

The 31-year-old left-hander limited the Royals to three singles and only runner — Mike Moustakas in the fourth — past first base. Kazmir (6-5), who lowered his ERA to 2.24, retired the final nine batters he faced.

Kazmir, acquired by the Astros from Oakland on Thursday for two minor leaguers, hasn’t lost a July start since July 10, 2010, going 7-0 in his past 14 starts.

Preston Tucker had three of the Astros’ hits, including his fourth home run in five games. Tucker hit a base-loaded homer in the second.

Cardinals 4, Braves 2

ST. LOUIS — Randal Grichuk homered and rookie Tim Cooney threw seven solid innings to earn his first major league win, leading St. Louis to a victory over Atlanta.

St. Louis improved to 6-1 since the All-Star break and pushed its home record to an MLB-best 35-12. Meanwhile, the Braves have lost their last six road games.

Grichuk hit a two-run homer in the second inning for the second night in row. His 11th of the season came off rookie Manny Banuelos (1-2), who gave up six hits and four earned runs in five-plus innings.

Rangers 4, Angels 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Josh Hamilton doubled, singled and scored two runs in his return to Angel Stadium, and Texas got 7-plus outstanding innings of four-hit ball from Colby Lewis in a victory over Los Angeles.

Hamilton was booed whenever he stepped to the plate or touched the ball at the stadium where he played the previous two seasons after signing a five-year, $125 million free-agent deal with the Angels. The former AL MVP was traded back to Texas three months ago following two dismal years in Orange County.

Hamilton’s double off the right-field wall started the Rangers’ three-run rally in the fourth.

Mike Trout hit his 29th home run, pulling even with Albert Pujols atop the AL homers race.

Giants 9, Athletics 3

SAN FRANCISCO — Hunter Pence had four hits and drove in two runs, Brandon Belt had three RBIs and San Francisco won its third straight, beating Oakland.

Jake Peavy (2-4) pitched six strong innings to earn his second straight victory. Buster Posey extended his hitting streak to 10 games with three hits and drove in a run, and Joe Panik and Angel Pagan each also drove in runs for the Giants, who won their ninth in 10 games.

Ben Zobrist hit a home run for the A’s, who lost their third in four games.