Pirates lose to ex-teammate

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Neil Walker was the only one who could solve Ryan Vogelsong, and that was hardly enough.

Vogelsong tied his career high with eight strikeouts and won while making his first big league start in almost seven years, leading the San Francisco Giants over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Thursday.

Walker had three of the Pirates’ four hits, including their only extra-base hit — an RBI double in the first inning. But he also had one of their season-high four errors.

The Pirates made two errors each during the two innings San Francisco scored its runs.

“We beat ourselves today,” first baseman Lyle Overbay said. “If we are going to be where we want to be, we can’t do that kind of stuff.”

Vogelsong (1-0) was making his first start since Sept. 29, 2004, when he was with Pittsburgh. He spent three seasons in Japan after last appearing in a game for the Pirates in June 2006, then spent last season playing for the Triple-A teams of the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Angels.

Vogelsong signed a minor league deal with the Giants this past offseason and had his contract purchased from Triple-A Fresno on April 17 when Barry Zito went on the disabled list. Vogelsong had made two relief appearances since, covering 42/3 scoreless innings.

He won for the first time since Sept. 14, 2005.

“He did a good job of keeping guys off-balance,” Walker said. “I was fortunate enough to hit a couple of barrels on him, but for the most part he was down in the zone and threw a lot of good pitches today.”

Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his seventh save. San Francisco had lost five of its previous six.

Aaron Rowand had three RBIs and stole home as part of a double steal. He hit a two-run double during the Giants’ four-run third.

The 33-year-old Vogelsong gave up two runs on four hits and two walks. He was making his 34th career start and 123rd appearance in the majors.