SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants beat the New York Mets 2-0 on Sunday to snap a four-game losing streak and avoid a series sweep against the National League East leaders.

Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain allowed three hits over six innings and drove in a run with a fifth-inning single as the Mets were shut out for the first time this season.

The win also ended an eight-game Giants losing skid against the Mets, who had pounded San Francisco pitching for 24 runs and 42 hits in the first three games of the series.

"They had a lot of fight in them today," Mets manager Jerry Manuel told reporters. "Even their fans seemed to be in a playoff-type atmosphere.

"They didn't want the Mets to do the sweep here."

Bengie Molina drove in the other Giants run, a first inning single off New York starter Mike Pelfrey (4-1), who had a rare three balks in his six innings on the mound.

It was just the second time a Mets pitcher had three balks, Don Rowe also did it in 1963 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I think maybe when I get on national TV I like making a fool of myself," Pelfrey said. "It seemed like I almost had the yips."

Cain (4-1) overcame early control problems and wound up walking five and striking out two before Bob Howry, Jeremy Affeldt and Brian Wilson each tossed a scoreless inning.

Wilson picked up his ninth save in 11 opportunities after taking the loss in the first two games of the series to New York.

"You have to be careful pitching against them, they are so hot right now," Cain said of the Mets hitters. "I didn't want to give them too much to hit up there."