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Belt Homers, Doubles In Giants' 7-0 Win Over Braves

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brandon Belt worked on going the other way and that hitting approach has been playing big dividends.

Belt's opposite-field, solo home run in the seventh inning broke up a scoreless pitching duel and the San Francisco Giants won their fourth straight, beating the Atlanta Braves 7-0 on Thursday night.

"I hit it on the barrel but this park makes you second-guess yourself," Belt said. "I'm seeing the ball well and not trying to do too much. When I do try to do too much, that's when I get into trouble."

Chris Heston (5-3) allowed four hits over 7 1-3 innings to win his third straight decision and give the Giants 12 wins in their past 14 games. He also doubled, his first career extra base hit.

"Chris was at the top of his game," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He had to be. The other guy was throwing the ball great. It was a fast moving game with both guys throwing strikes and hitting spots."

Hunter Pence added a two-run triple and Joe Panik a two-run double in a six-run eighth inning against Brandon Cunniff to break the game open. Brandon Crawford had two hits and drove in a run and Nori Aoki added two hits.

Shelby Miller (5-2), who came within one out of a no-hitter in his last road start, took the loss despite allowing one run and five hits over seven innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out one.

"It was a bad pitch. If I could take it back, I would," Miller said of the home run. "It was a tough hit to give up at that point in the game."

Miller, who allowed his first home run since April 30, a span of five games, lowered his ERA to 1.48, matching Zack Greinke of the Dodgers for the NL lead.

"Shelby did his part," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It was a tremendous outing. You give up one run, you think you have a chance to win, and we did."

Both starting pitchers were efficient throughout. Miller retired 16 of the first 17 batters he faced. Heston and Belt were the only Giants to venture beyond first base against him.

Heston, meanwhile, retired 16 of the first 18 Braves he faced. He walked one and struck out six. He had allowed 11 runs in his previous 7 2-3 innings.

"When you give up some runs, you want to go out and pitch better," Heston said. "It's good for the confidence."

Giants pitchers have not allowed a run in 37 consecutive innings at home, matching a San Francisco record.

TRAINER'S ROOM:

Braves: OF Joey Terdoslavich (left wrist sprain) went 5 for 13 (.385) in three games with Class-A Rome. He is continuing his rehab with Carolina.

Giants: RHP Jake Peavy (back strain) got kicked around in his second rehab start, allowing six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday night with Triple-A Sacramento. Bochy said he expects Peavy to make at least two more rehab starts.

UP NEXT:

Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (3-1, 4.25) starts Friday night's game against the Giants. He's coming off his best performance yet, a three-hitter over 7 2-3 innings. He allowed one run, walked one and struck out seven in a 2-1 victory over Miami. The former first-round draft pick is in his first year as a starter. He was used out of the bullpen after being called up last August.

Giants: RHP Tim Hudson (2-4, 5.04) makes his first start against the Braves since leaving the team for free agency. He gave up a season-high eight runs and six hits in 3 2-3 innings in his last start.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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