Giants 8, Braves 3
ATLANTA -- The San Francisco bullpen let another lead slip away, but Hunter Pence made sure it wasn't costly this time.
The right fielder smashed a homer with two runners on to cap a four-run eighth inning Tuesday night and third baseman Matt Duffy had a four-hit game as the Giants pulled away late for an 8-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
Shelby Miller was in line for his first victory since May 17 before Braves relievers imploded just like the Giants' bullpen had twice at crunch time in the series opener.
The eighth-inning rally began with back-to-back doubles by center fielder Gregor Blanco and Duffy, the first off lefty reliever Ross Detwiller. Then Pence followed an intentional walk to catcher Buster Posey with a blast to left-center field off right-hander Dave Aardsma.
Pence's seventh homer of the season came on a 1-2 fastball from Aardsma (0-1) and offered some relief from the Giants' stinging extra-inning loss the night before to the Braves.
San Francisco (58-48) scored two ninth-inning insurance runs, the first on a homer by left fielder Nori Aoki off rookie Ryan Kelly, and moved back to within two games of the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
Atlanta, once down 6-0 on Monday, tied that game with a two-run homer by catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the ninth inning, then won 9-8 in the 12th on third baseman Ardonis Garcia's three-run walk-off blast.
It looked like the Braves (48-59) might have another comeback victory when they scored twice in the seventh inning off the Giants bullpen to put Miller, who gave up four hits and two runs over seven innings, in line to end his losing streak at seven games and win for the first time in 14 starts.
Giants starter Jake Peavy also wasn't involved in the decision despite allowing just five singles and a run over six innings while striking out eight as the San Francisco bullpen couldn't protect a 2-1 lead.
Right-hander George Kontos allowed three straight singles, with pinch-hitter delivering the tying run with one out. Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt got right fielder Nick Markakis to hit a grounder to second baseman Ehire Adrianza, but the lead run scored when the rookie could get just one out instead of a double play.
Affeldt (1-2) got credit for the victory, though, when the Giants rallied back for the victory. The Giants had taken the lead in the sixth inning with the aid of a mental error by Braves first baseman Chris Johnson, who forgot the number of outs.
With the bases loaded and one out after two walks around a single, Johnson ran to the bag to retire Pence rather than throw home on his a sharp grounder.
The Giants scored in the first inning. Catcher Buster Posey followed singles by center fielder Gregor Blanco and Duffy with a sacrifice fly for his 74th RBI of the season.
The Braves tied it in the third when Pence couldn't hold on to complete a diving catch. Second baseman Jace Peterson, who singled and moved up on a sacrifice, scored as right fielder Nick Markakis stretched his hitting streak to 11 games.
NOTES: Braves 1B Freddie Freeman, back for just 10 games after missing 30 because of a bruised right wrist, went on the disabled list with a right oblique strain. He was hurt on a swing in the series opener Monday. ... RHP Jason Frasor (shoulder strain) was also placed on the DL by the Braves, who recalled 1B/OF Joey Terdoslavich and RHP Ryan Kelly from Triple-A Gwinnett. ... Atlanta SS Andrelton Simmons (right thumb bone bruise) missed his third straight game. He isn't expected back until at least the weekend. ... The series concludes Wednesday night with Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner (11-6, 3.39 ERA) starting against Braves rookie RHP Williams Perez (4-1, 4.14). ... CF Angel Pagan (sore knees) was again out of the Giants' lineup, but he might start Wednesday, manager Bruce Bochy said.