Vogelsong moved by fans’ embrace in SF return

SAN FRANCISCO — The words on the scoreboard beneath Ryan Vogelsong’s name read “Forever Giant,” but the scene at AT&T Park did far more to explain the relationship between the man, this city and these fans.

Vogelsong returned to San Francisco on Monday, allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings in an 8-5 Pirates victory and won his first start against the Giants since ending his second, storybook tenure with the club that initially drafted him.

“There’s moments in these games that you want to hold on to and remember for the rest of your life,” Vogelsong said. “Tonight was one of those for me.”

The veteran right-hander’s unlikely success story resonated with a passionate fanbase celebrating three World Series titles in five years, and Vogelsong helped hang two of the flags on the left-field wall at AT&T Park. The mutual respect was obvious Monday night.

Vogelsong received a small standing ovation as he walked down the right-field line to the bullpen. But he warmed up well, he said. He felt like he was ready to pitch.

“I wasn’t ready for the ovation,” he said. “It kind of threw me off a little bit. …

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