Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - It's been 17 years since the Cincinnati Reds won either a playoff series or a postseason game at home.

The wait goes on.

Behind a big effort in relief from Tim Lincecum and an offensive power surge, the San Francisco Giants put Cincinnati's celebration plans on hold for a second straight day by registering an 8-3 decision in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, setting up a winner-take-all battle for the right to advance.

After mustering a mere four runs and batting .126 over the first three games, San Francisco broke out behind homers from Angel Pagan, Gregor Blanco and Pablo Sandoval in following up Tuesday's season-saving 2-1, 10-inning win. Sandoval finished 3-for-4 with three RBI to lead the Giants' 11-hit outburst, with Pagan going 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Lincecum (1-0) provided a lift as well, limiting the Reds to one run on two hits while striking out six without a walk over 4 1/3 excellent innings.

Starter Barry Zito lasted just 2 2/3 frames for San Francisco, with the veteran lefty permitting two runs and four hits while issuing four walks.

Subbing for injured ace Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake (0-1) was tagged for five runs on six hits before being removed after 4 1/3 innings for the Reds.

Ryan Ludwick had a solo homer and Zack Cozart went 2-for-5 for a Cincinnati squad that's attempting to record its first playoff triumph at home since besting the Los Angeles Dodgers at then-Riverfront Stadium in Game 3 of the 1995 NLDS, the franchise's last victorious postseason series as well.

The Giants will now try to become the first team in NLDS history to come back from a two-games-to-none deficit in Thursday's Game 5 at Great American Ball Park, with Matt Cain tabbed to start for San Francisco against the Reds' Mat Latos.

GAME NOTES:

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