Giants 8, Reds 3: Angel Pagan led off the game with a home run and Pablo Sandoval added a two-run blast as visiting San Francisco evened the National League Division Series at two games apiece.

Gregor Blanco hit a two-run homer and Tim Lincecum pitched 4 1/3 strong innings in relief for the Giants, who battled back from an 0-2 deficit to force a deciding Game 5 on Thursday afternoon.

Ace Johnny Cueto was removed from the roster due to back spasms, prompting Cincinnati to start right-hander Mike Leake (0-1). San Francisco wasted little time jumping on the replacement, as Pagan took the second pitch of the game deep into the bleachers in right and Blanco went out to the fourth row in right-center in the second.

Barry Zito started for the Giants but manager Bruce Bochy pulled him as soon as it looked like the veteran might surrender the lead, bringing in George Kontos for two-thirds of an inning and getting one out from Jose Mijares before going to Lincecum with two outs in the fourth.

The former Cy Young Award winner struck out six and allowed one run on two hits. Lincecum (1-0), who posted a 5.18 ERA in the regular season, has surrendered a total of three hits in 6 1/3 innings out of the bullpen during the series.

San Francisco was clinging to a 5-3 edge in the seventh when Marco Scutaro doubled to left to plate a run. Sandoval followed and cranked a line drive over the fence in right off Jose Arredondo to provide some breathing room.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Giants will turn to ace Matt Cain in Game 5 while the Reds will counter with Mat Latos. … Leake was charged with five runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. … Ryan Ludwick hit a solo homer for Cincinnati, his second of the series. … The Reds did not lose three in a row at home during the regular season.