Giants even World Series with 4-3 win over Angels

Ben Walker, Associated Press, San Francisco

David Bell hit a tiebreaking single off rookie sensation Francisco Rodriguez in the eighth inning Wednesday as the San Francisco Giants rallied past the Anaheim Angels 4-3 to tie the World Series at two games each.

The Giants slowed down Anaheim's persistent hitters and broke through against Rodriguez to post San Francisco's first Series win at home since 1962.

Rodriguez had dismissed all 12 San Francisco hitters he had faced in the Series until J.T. Snow singled to start the eighth inning. Snow moved up on Bengie Molina's passed ball, but stayed put when first baseman Scott Spiezio made a sensational, diving catch on Reggie Sanders' foul bunt.

Bell singled sharply past diving shortstop David Eckstein. Snow scored ahead of center fielder Darin Erstad's throw, and the celebration was on.

Bell, son of Colorado Rockies manager and former All Star Buddy Bell, became the latest offspring of a major leaguer to deliver in this Series. San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds' father Bobby is also a former major league player.

Rodriguez had been 5-0 this postseason. The 20-year-old with a wicked slider and crackling fastball absorbed his first major league loss.

Tim Worrell got the win and Robb Nen closed for a save.

It was an October classic, and came on a fitting night. Banned former star Pete Rose drew the biggest ovation during a pregame celebration marking baseball's most memorable moments.

Jason Schmidt will start for the Giants in Game 5 Thursday night against Jarrod Washburn. It'll be a rematch of the opener in which Schmidt outpitched the Anaheim ace.

Pitching on his 24th birthday, Angels rookie John Lackey picked up a nice present, the souvenir ball from his first major league hit. More importantly for Anaheim, he avoided trouble on the mound, thanks mostly to Benito Santiago.

Lackey intentionally walked Bonds twice to load the bases with one out. Both times, he got Santiago to hit grounders to Eckstein that the shortstop turned into inning-ending double plays.

Yet Santiago got revenge with an RBI single that capped a three-run fifth that made it 3-3. And in a twist for a Series dominated by long balls, the comeback started with two of the shortest hits yet.

Pitcher Kirk Rueter led off with a high ball that he beat out for an infield single. Kenny Lofton followed with a bunt that slowly danced down the chalk line until third baseman Troy Glaus picked it up for another short single.

Rich Aurilia singled home the Giants' first run, Jeff Kent hit a sacrifice fly and, after another intentional walk to Bonds, Santiago singled up the middle. The Most valuable Player of the National League championship series clapped his hands and pointed toward the San Francisco dugout after rounding first base.

Glaus hit a two-run shot, tying Bonds' record of seven home runs in a postseason, to give the Angels a 3-0 lead in the third.

A day earlier, fans taunted Glaus with shouts of "Welcome to Pac Bell!" after he flied out to the warning track, reminding him it gave up fewer homers than any other ballpark in the majors this season.

Both teams looked for every edge they could find.

Wanting an extra right-handed bat in the lineup, Angels manager Mike Scioscia pulled ALCS MVP Adam Kennedy - hitting .371 in the postseason - and instead started Benji Gil at second base. The hunch paid off as Gil singled his first two times up.

With runners on first and second and one out in the second, Lackey fouled off a bunt attempt. Undaunted with two strikes, he expertly took a low-and-away fastball the other way to right field for a single that loaded the bases.