PITTSBURGH _ Brandon Belt took a business-like approach to his no-doubt home run Sunday. He hit the ball hard, put the bat down gently, and commenced with the matter of rounding the bases.
It was fitting symbol for the Giants hot streak: They are back to their methodical ways. Their 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park marked their sixth consecutive victory.
It was their first three-game sweep in Pittsburgh since 2005. They now have eight wins this season when trailing after 6.0 innings; only the Houston Astros have more such win, with 10.
The Giants still need another 18 consecutive wins just to get back to .500 _ they're 33-51 _ but they have found a belated groove.
Jeff Samardzija pitched six solid innings, allowing just a two-run homer to Jody Mercer in the fourth. Sam Dyson got his second save for the Giants.
Samardzija was backed by some astonishing defense. Belt, from first base, made a terrific, over-the-shoulder basket catch in medium deep right field to rob Josh Bell of a hit to finish the eighth.
Earlier in the game, right fielder Hunter Pence made a sensational diving catch to take extra bases away from John Jaso. Pence, racing toward the right-center alley, plucked the ball just before it hit the grass and then raised his right fist in celebration.
As has been their habit, even in this downturn of a season, the Giants came back. They trailed 2-0 in the seventh, when Pence (walk) and Buster Posey (double) ignited a rally against starter Trevor Williams.
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle summoned left-hander Tony Watson in relief, but a pair of left-handed hitters upended the strategy. Belt hit a run-scoring single and Crawford followed with single to drive home Posey to make it 2-2.
Pinch hitter Kelby Tomlinson gave the Giants the lead for good by following with a sacrifice fly.
Including last season, the Giants have now won six consecutive games at PNC Park. It's their first six-game winning streak in Pittsburgh since 1953.
