Tim Lincecum Strikes Out To Help Giants Even Series At 2-2.
For game 4 of the Reds second chance to closeout the Giants, Barry Zito and Mike Leake in a gamble game on the Reds as they had two more chances to advance but they would crap out. Leake was tapped by Dusty Baker to hopefully close out the Giants but would get lit up by Angel Pagan hitting a homer to deep right to give the Giants their first run of the game. This would really give the Giants lineup confidence for the entire game.
In the bottom of the first inning Barry Zito would get singled by Joey Votto then would walk both Ryan Ludwick and Jay Bruce making the bases loaded. Zito would then proceed to walk a third Reds batter in a row with Todd Frazier as they would score on a bases loaded walk. He would survive the inning after striking out Dioner Navarro. Preceding this, Gregor Blanco would homer to right center bringing in Hector Sanchez who hit an infield single.
Skipping ahead to the bottom of the third, Ryan Ludwick would hit a the Reds second homer of the year to make it a one run game as the Giants would look to their bullpen for help. George Kontos and Jose Mijares would both pitch an inning combined, but the Giants would surprisingly go to former CY young winner Tim Lincecum to provide much needed pitching in a must win game.
The Giants would bust the game open in the top of the 5th with a back to back doubles by Joaquin Arias and Angel Pagan followed by a sac-fly to center by Pablo Sandoval to make it 3-run game. Lincecum would give up one run on a sac-fly from Brandon Phillips to bring in Drew Stubbs but he would survive the inning on a lineout from Zack Cozart.
In the 7th the, San Francisco would increase their lead with two doubles from Joaquin Arias and Marco Scutaro followed by a Pablo Sandoval homer to deep left to make it a 8-3 game. Lincecum proceeded with a 1-2-3 inning then got through a semi-difficult 8th inning as Santiago Casilla closed the game to even the series.
A pivotal game 5 with both aces Mat Latos and Matt Cain pitching is set for later today at 1pm ET on TBS.