San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum outdueled Houston’s Roy Oswalt on Tuesday to lead the Giants to a 3-1 victory at Minute Maid Park in the interleague series opener.

Lincecum (8-2) went eight strong innings, allowing one unearned run on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Closer Brian Wilson came on in the ninth for his 20th save.

Oswalt pitched well enough to win but as what has become the norm this season, came up short as the offense struggled to get things going.

He went seven innings in the defeat while allowing six hits, two earned runs with a walk and six strikeouts but fell to 5-9 on the year.

Houston led 1-0 heading into the seventh before the Giants broke through against Oswalt. Aubrey Huff singled with one out and Juan Uribe followed with a walk. Pat Burrell got the Giants on the board with a single to score Huff and then Uribe scored on Pablo Sandoval’s fielder’s choice when Houston couldn’t turn a double play attempt.

The Giants added a run in the ninth off Wilton Lopez when Nate Schierholtz singled to score Freddy Sanchez.