Pence puts a charge into his team

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Cincinnati --

They said it sounded like a football speech, the kind that sends players storming onto the field in a frothing, manic frenzy. Giants president Larry Baer was outside the clubhouse when it happened, and he could hear "thunderous cheering inside." The scene made a hero of Hunter Pence, well before he became one on the field, and a memorable chapter of Giants lore was written.

This Division Series could end with Game 4 Wednesday afternoon, but the Giants threw a scare into the Cincinnati Reds with a 2-1, 10-inning win Tuesday night, and it certainly wasn't all about Pence.

It was about Ryan Vogelsong, holding the Reds hitless over a four-inning stretch, and the type of multifaceted performance likely to make a National League MVP out of Buster Posey. It was Jeremy Affeldt's sterling work out of the bullpen and the ongoing anxiety on a Reds team suddenly at a loss for starting pitchers.

The essence of this elimination game, though, came before it started. Manager Bruce Bochy called a team meeting in the clubhouse, said a few choice words, and then Pence took it upon himself to address the team. Normally, at times like this, the speaker will be a longtime veteran of the club, someone who exudes authority by his mere presence. Pence showed up only nine weeks ago - but if you've seen him play, you understand the burning desire he brings to the game. It shows up in his gait, in his swing, in his pursuit of a long fly ball.

And, as it turns out, in his words.

"He was excited, man," Affeldt said. "The words were like poetry, but the way he delivered it was very moving. He stepped up and inspired the whole team. When that thing was over, you just wanted to start head-buttin' people."

Angel Pagan said the speech was all about teamwork, and "staying together. Doesn't matter if you're playing or not. Pick the next guy up. We need people like Hunter in here. He's a very positive guy. It doesn't matter if we're down 20 to nothing, he believes we can win."

The Giants' Hunter Pence singled in the tenth inning to move teammate Buster Posey to second base, as the San Francisco Giants went on to beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-1, in Game 3 of the National League Division Series in Cincinnati, Ohio on Tuesday Oct. 9, 2012. less The Giants' Hunter Pence singled in the tenth inning to move teammate Buster Posey to second base, as the San Francisco Giants went on to beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-1, in Game 3 of the National League Division ... more Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Pence puts a charge into his team 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

Was it unusual, coming from someone who only recently joined the team?

"Oh, yeah," said Affeldt. "That's what everybody's smilin' about."

Vogelsong said Pence's words "really hit home with me. Just the emotion of it, the truthfulness." But it was a play in the outfield by Pence, in the second inning, that affected Vogelsong the most.

The first inning had been a chore - 30 pitches' worth - and a great throw from Posey (gunning down Brandon Phillips at third) might have prevented an outright disaster. In the second inning, Pence sprinted into foul territory and made a sliding, difficult catch of Ryan Hanigan's fly ball at point-blank range with the wall.

"Strictly a hustle play," said Vogelsong. "Guy putting his body on the line with the wall right there. That really did something for me. When you see guys make a play like that, you need to get your job done for them."

If the Giants had lost this game in the regulation nine innings, there wouldn't have been much to analyze - not when there's only one hit and 14 strikeouts on the scorecard. Somehow, with Affeldt's two brilliant innings triggering a procession of superb relief, the Giants got into the 10th, and again, there was Posey, starting the game-winning rally with a single to right.

Pence was next, and in a repeat occurrence from the ninth inning of Game 2 in San Francisco, he got a cramp in his left calf while batting. In severe pain, Pence got a visit from trainer Dave Groeschner before stepping back into the box - and gutting out a single to left.

"Maybe the cramp helped me," he joked later, "because I couldn't move my leg." And for real comedy, there was the sight of Pence in a bowlegged hop down the first-base line. Still, this was the key hit in a rally that kept the Giants' season alive, Posey scoring from third when Reds third baseman Scott Rolen misplayed a short-hop on Joaquin Arias' grounder and threw too late to first.

"That's what Pence is all about, just that pure energy," said Affeldt. "Yeah, he ran that ball out. That's why the playoffs are so much fun. It's the end of a long season, and you've got a lot of guys not exactly poppin' right out of bed and jumpin' around. But they're still giving it everything they got."

That's definitely going to be the case for the Reds in Game 4, because as of late Tuesday night, manager Dusty Baker wasn't able to name his starting pitcher. Johnny Cueto, who had to leave Game 1 in the first inning with back spasms, hasn't made a full recovery. Mat Latos, who would have to work the game on three days' rest, has developed a case of the flu, and according to ESPN Radio's Rick Sutcliffe, "He could barely shake my hand tonight before the game. Just fully congested, sneezing, coughing."

The Reds could activate Mike Leake, a regular-season rotation mainstay who was left off the Division Series roster, but that would mean replacing Cueto, who would then be ineligible for the next round. So in the Giants' mind, it's not just a series come alive. It's one they believe they can win.

As the players wound down from an emotional evening, there was music in the clubhouse. Brian Wilson stalked about, shirtless, his fingernails painted black and orange. Tim Lincecum, relief pitcher, was bopping around to the tunes coming through his headphones. Barry Zito dressed quietly, preparing for his biggest start since the Oakland years.

Finally, after extensive treatment on his calf (which he claimed is fine), Pence emerged. He was stoked. "This is a group of guys who love each other," he said. "The dugout was solid. Vogey led the way, and you could just feel us coming together. That was just the embodiment of a team."

Someone mentioned his decision to address the team beforehand.

"There was nothing," he said.

A similar question was posed.

"Just getting ready for the game," he said, wanting no part of anything even resembling credit.

"We just want to play more baseball together."

And so it will be.