Giants' Ryan Vogelson goes five innings for eighth win Thursday

Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong turned in a strong outing against the Nationals on Thursday night. The veteran hurler allowed one run on three hits over five innings. He walked four and struck out a season-high eight batters in the 3-1 victory.

Vogelsong (8-8, 4.15 ERA) got off to an unencouraging start, as he allowed a home run to Yunel Escobar on the very first pitch of the game. But the righty settled in from there, aptly keeping the Nationals off the board from that point on. 

The high walk and strikeout totals left him with 94 pitches through five innings. But it was a solid, gutsy performance for the 38-year-old.

Thursday's start was just the second since the end of June for Vogelsong. He had been pitching out of the bullpen lately, but with injuries to Tim Hudson and Tim Lincecum, Vogelsong has found himself back in the rotation for now.