Belt’s clutch hit helps Giants beat Phillies

Belt’s clutch hit helps Giants beat Phillies

Entering the series opener against Philadelphia, the Giants’ first baseman had just six hits in his previous 35 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

With the bases loaded in the seventh inning and his team down one run, Belt hammered the second pitch he saw to the center-field wall for a double.

Third-base coach Roberto Kelly frantically spun his arm as, one by one, three runners crossed home plate to put the Giants up 4-2.

Phillies rookie right-hander Zach Eflin, in his third major-league game, limited a potent Giants lineup to five hits and one (unearned) run in six innings.

The Phillies needed three relievers to escape that inning.

After Belt’s three-run double, left fielder Angel Pagan gave San Francisco a 5-2 lead on an RBI single to center field.

After giving up a two-out RBI single to Freddy Galvis in the eighth, right-hander Cory Gearrin walked in a run.

Right-hander Jake Peavy allowed seven hits and two earned runs in seven innings.