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 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 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 4 2-3 scoreless innings.

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