By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-In the early parts of this game, it definitely seemed that this was not going to be the San Francisco Giants day at the ballpark.

Luckily that is why they play nine innings and not the first one to three runs, as Hunter Pence came through with a huge two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning and the Giants came back to defeat the Cleveland Indians 5-3 before a sellout crowd of 42,088, the 257th consecutive sellout at AT&T Park.

Pence’s single came with two out in the bottom of the frame, and it came after two out and the bases loaded for the suddenly streaking Giants.

Michael Morse got the inning started with a single off of Zach McAllister, after a Pablo Sandoval pop out to third base, Brandon Crawford singled, and then Brandon Hicks walked to load the bases.

Pinch hitter Gregor Blanco singled in Morse for the Giants for first run of the afternoon, then Angel Pagan got them within one run, as he hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored Crawford from third base and then it was Pence’s turn at the plate.

Basically, with the game hanging in the balance, the right fielder laced a ball into right field to score Hicks and Blanco and give the Giants the lead for good.

Buster Posey put the finishing touches on the scoring, as he slammed a C.C. Lee pitch into the left field seats for his fifth home run of the season.

Tim Lincecum lasted just 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out three and what looked like it was going to drop his record to 1-2 on the season turned into a no decision.

Jason Kipnis got the Indians on the board in the first inning, as he singled to right field to Michael Bourn, who led off the game with a double of his own.

Kipnis drove in the Indians second run of the game in the top of the third inning, as he grounded out to Hicks at second base to score Nick Swisher from third base.

Swisher drove in what looked like could have been the last nail in the coffin for the Giants, as he doubled down the right field line to score Bourn, who led off the inning with a single.

McAllister went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits, walking just one and striking out six, as he lost for the first time this season.