Giants on verge of unprecedented rally

CINCINNATI, Ohio—With an out-of-character win, the San Francisco Giants are on the verge of an unprecedented comeback.
And everybody in Cincinnati is saying: Uh-oh.

Angel Pagan hit the first lead-off homer in Giants’ post-season history, and Gregor Blanco and Pablo Sandoval connected later for an 8-3 victory over the Reds yesterday that evened their NL division series at 2-2.
After dropping the first two games at home, the resourceful Giants have moved one victory away from the NL championship series—unthinkable when they landed in town on Monday.
No team has recovered from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five series by winning three on the road, according to STATS LLC.
This one can do it with a victory today at Great American Ball Park.
“Thanks to the win today [Wednesday], there will be a tomorrow,” Pagan said. “And we are ready for that.”
Matt Cain, who lost the series-opener and has yet to beat the Reds in three tries this season, will start Game 5 against Mat Latos, who has a little personal history against the Giants.
He was with San Diego in 2010 when the Giants eliminated San Diego on their way to a World Series title.
There’s plenty of angst to go around town. The Reds haven’t won a post-season game at home in 17 years, going 0-3.
They also dropped a one-game playoff for the NL wild card to the N.Y. Mets in 1999.
One thing in their favour—they haven’t dropped three-straight at home all season.
“I’d like to think that we still have the advantage,” said Reds’ outfielder Jay Bruce.
“We’re at home,” he noted. “I expect Mat to come up with a big game.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
So are the Giants, who barely were able to get a hit—let alone a win—while dropping the first two games.
The pressure pulled them closer. Hunter Pence gathered them for inspirational speeches before the two games in Cincinnati.
“We feel good,” NL batting champion Buster Posey said. “When you’re down 0-2, you see what you’re made of.
“We’re not done,” he vowed.
The Reds were hoping to start ace Johnny Cueto yesterday, but had to drop him off the roster a few hours before the first pitch because he still was bothered by a strained muscle in his right side.
He won’t be available if Cincinnati wins Game 5 and reaches the NL championship series.