Jerome Williams started yesterday, received a no-decision, and the Marlins took a late lead and won with a thrilling ending. Mike Lowell's home run in the ninth inning off Felix Rodriguez (1-1) gave Florida a 4-3 victory.

But this time, Williams came away with accolades. He allowed a two-run homer to Hee Seop Choi and a solo shot to Ramon Castro, but gave up just three other hits in seven innings of work.

"It was a great effort," Giants manager Felipe Alou said. "He's really pitching now. He gave up a couple home runs in seven innings and that was it."

Punahou School alum Justin Wayne (2-0) pitched 1á scoreless innings of relief for the victory. He hasn't allowed an earned run in 12 innings this season.

Williams said there weren't any emotions in facing the Marlins, who scored three runs on five hits and sent him to the bench after just two innings in their eventual series-clinching, 7-6 victory in Game 4 a year ago.

"Not at all," he said. "Last season is last season. We've got to forget about what happened and get some wins."

That game ended with a play at the plate and Florida's Ivan Rodriguez holding onto the ball despite taking a football-type hit from J.T. Snow.

It also began with some controversy. The Giants decided to start Williams instead of right-handed ace Jason Schmidt on short rest. It was later revealed that Schmidt had a torn ligament in his elbow.

A year later, Schmidt is still trying to find himself after three starts and it's Williams who has emerged as the staff leader. Despite the loss, he gave the Giants his fourth straight "quality start" — at least six innings, no more than three earned runs.

"I thought he pitched his (butt) off," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "He has his last three or four starts. He's been great. He's certainly improved and he deserves a lot of credit."

Alou said Williams is back in shape after reporting to camp in less than perfect form.

"We thought maybe he was a little overweight," Alou said. "Not heavy or anything, but he's a bigger guy. He is finally throwing harder this year than last year.

"He's a kid and he's still growing, still getting stronger. There will be changes when a guy that age is getting to be a bigger man. I believe his mechanics obviously are better than they've been. Obviously, he's throwing better now."

Williams gave up the two-run homer to Choi in the fourth inning. Barry Bonds homered in the sixth, but the Marlins got the run back in the seventh when Castro hit a hanging curveball.

Williams walked just one batter yesterday and ranks among the league leaders with an average of just 1.83 walks per nine innings. Like most pitchers who stay around the strike zone, home runs are inevitable.