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Belt, Vogelsong lead Giants past Marlins

Aug 15, 2011 - 12:58 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Brandon Belt hit a pair of solo home runs to back a strong outing from Ryan Vogelsong, as the San Francisco Giants downed the Florida Marlins, 5-2, in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Cody Ross belted a two-run homer to snap the Giants' major league record of 21 consecutive solo home runs, and Nate Schierholtz began a new streak with a leadoff shot an inning later.

Vogelsong (10-2) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out eight over 7 2/3 innings as the Giants earned their first series win since taking two of three from the Phillies from July 26-28.

With closer Brian Wilson sidelined due to back spasms, Ramon Ramirez recorded the final out of the ninth to record his second save of the season.

Chris Volstad (5-9) gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks over six frames to suffer the loss. He struck out seven.

Mike Stanton hit a home run and Emilio Bonifacio had a RBI double for the Marlins, losers in nine of their last 10.

Stanton spotted Florida an early lead with a two-out homer in the opening frame. Greg Dobbs followed with a single, but Vogelsong retired the next 17 Marlins he faced.

Eli Whiteside tried to stretch a single into a double to begin the third, but was thrown out by left fielder Bryan Petersen. Vogelsong then drew a walk and Ross followed with a blast to left. It was the first non-solo homer for the Giants since a Schierholtz two-run shot on July 6.

Schierholtz began the fourth with a homer to right-center and Belt added blasts in the sixth and eighth.

"It was nice to see those guys swing the bats like that today," said Vogelsong. "It's been a little rough for our offense lately and it's good to see them battle and get on the backside of a couple balls."

Petersen drew a walk to begin the home eighth. Vogelsong retired the next two batters, but Bonifacio slapped an RBI double into the gap in left-center. Alfredo Amezaga followed with a walk to chase Vogelsong.

Santiago Casilla entered and threw a wild pitch, allowing runners to reach second and third, but Stanton grounded out to end the threat.

Jeremy Affeldt spelled Casilla with two down and one on in the ninth and walked pinch-hitter John Buck, but Ramirez fanned Brett Hayes to end the game.

"Once we do get guys in scoring position we're just not getting the job done," said Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez.

Game Notes

Belt notched his first career multi-homer game...The Giants had lost four straight series entering this one...Vogelsong is 4-0 on the road this season...Following Saturday's game, the Marlins optioned outfielder Logan Morrison to New Orleans and released infielder Wes Helms. They selected the contract of Jose Lopez and recalled fellow infielder Ozzie Martinez from Triple-A New Orleans on Sunday.