Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright made quick work of the Giants in the first getting the first three batters.
Tim Lincecum took the mound allowing the first two hitters to reach base with a single and walk. Left fielder Matt Holliday singled home center fielder Jon Jay as the Cardinals struck first. With runners on first and third, first baseman Allen Craig scored another run connecting with a sacrifice fly giving the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. Lincecum limited the damage the rest of the inning continuing his struggles in the first. He yielded a Major League high 28 first inning runs.
Hunter Pence finally woke up demolishing a solo homer in the top of the second recording his first RBI and extra-base hit of the postseason pulling the Giants within a run.
Angel Pagan tripled with two outs in the top of the third but was stranded at third as Marco Scutaro grounded out. Pagan showed off his skills with the glove making a leaping catch in the bottom of the third robbing catcher Yadier Molina of a homer.
The score remained 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth as right fielder Matt Carpenter doubled with one out. Holliday singled him home and Lincecum struck out Craig. Coming into the night, Holliday had one RBI in 34 career at-bats against Lincecum during the regular season and drove in two on the night. Molina singled home a run increasing the lead to 4-1 ending Lincecum's night. George Kontos replaced him getting the final out of the fifth.
Jay doubled home two more runs in the bottom of the sixth and the Cardinals added more insurance during the bottom of the seventh. Molina doubled home a run and shortstop Pete Kozma singled home Molina as the Cardinals took a 8-1 lead.
Scutaro doubled in the top of the ninth and Pablo Sandoval delivered a two-run homer as the Cardinals won 8-3 taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. The last time the Giants lost two straight road games was back in July.
After two stellar performances out of the bullpen, Lincecum had his troubles going 4.2 innings allowing six hits, four runs, three walks and two strikeouts in his shortest playoff outing. He is now 1-1 in the postseason this year.
Wainwright kept the Giants in check during Game 4 surrendering just one run in seven innings.
Scutaro and Pagan led the team with two hits each as the Giants went 1-5 with runners in scoring position leaving three men on base.
The Giants face a 3-1 hole and six teams in LCS history have rallied with the 2007 Boston Red Sox being the last team to accomplish that feat. The 2003 Florida Marlins were the last NL team to comeback.
Barry Zito (0-0) gets the ball in Game 5 at 5:07 PM Friday night against Lance Lynn (1-1) as the Giants look to send the series back to AT&T Park for Game 6 on Sunday afternoon.
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