Three Giants HRs, Lincecum's relief job force Game 5

CINCINNATI -- Facing elimination again, the Giants came out swinging. Got a saving relief appearance from Tim Lincecum, too.

Angel Pagan led off the game with a home run, Gregor Blanco and Pablo Sandoval also connected and the Giants beat the Reds, 8-3, Wednesday, evening their NL division series at 2.

Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young Award winner relegated to the bullpen in this series, also delivered. He entered in the fourth with the Giants ahead 3-2, struck out six while giving up one run in 41/3 innings, and allowed his team to pull away.

"I knew Timmy would play a huge role in this," manager Bruce Bochy said. "And I know of other situations where starters have been in the pen and really done a great job to help their team win.''

Matt Cain, who lost Game 1 and has not beat the Reds in three tries this season, will start Game 5 Thursday against Mat Latos.

The Giants' hitters emerged from a series-long slump and extended Cincinnati's home playoff misery. The Reds haven't won a postseason game there in 17 years. One thing in the Reds' favor: They haven't dropped three straight at home all season.

"I'd like to think that we still have the advantage," Reds outfielder Jay Bruce said. "We're at home. I expect Mat to come up with a big game. I'm looking forward to it."

The Reds were hoping to start ace Johnny Cueto, but had to drop him off the roster a few hours before yesterday's first pitch because he was still bothered by a strained muscle in his right side. He won't be available if Cincinnati reaches the NLCS.

The way the Giants have started hitting, that's suddenly in doubt.

San Francisco managed only four runs in the first three games. The Giants avoided the sweep by pulling out a 2-1 win in 10 innings Tuesday night with the help of a passed ball and an error.

They broke out against Mike Leake, who replaced Cueto and had a rough time. Leake threw his first complete game in San Francisco June 29 and was 3-0 career against the Giants.

Pagan homered on Leake's second pitch. Blanco hit a two-run shot in the second. The Giants had another breakthrough in the fifth, when back-to-back doubles by Joaquin Arias and Angel Pagan ended the team's 0-for-14 slump with runners in scoring position during the series.

Sandoval's two-run shot in the seventh made it 8-3 and matched the Giants' season high for homers in a game. The Giants don't hit many -- only 103 during the season, fewest in the majors. They're only the seventh team since 1900 to reach the postseason after finishing last in home runs.