PITTSBURGH — Houston Astros starter Randy Wolf made sure he didn't need much help from his team's struggling offense.

The left-hander allowed three hits in seven innings and Hunter Pence had two hits and three RBI to help the Astros snap a five-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday night.

Wolf (11-12) gave up one run and struck out seven to win for the third time in four starts this month.

Wolf's only mistake was a home run in the fourth inning from Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche.

Ty Wigginton and Geoff Blum also had RBI for Houston.

It was the first victory for the Astros since Sept. 11, when they beat the Pirates 6-0 to complete a four-game home sweep.

Since then, the Astros lost two "home" games to the Chicago Cubs in Milwaukee and were swept by the Marlins in Florida. During the losing streak, Houston was no-hit by Carlos Zambrano of the Cubs and managed just five runs and 16 hits combined during the five games.

Houston got some help Friday night from Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell (6-12).

Snell, who didn't allow a hit until one out in the fourth inning, gave up one earned run and three hits in six innings. But the right-hander walked five, including two in the fourth, when Houston scored twice on a single from Pence and a ground out from Wigginton.