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SAN FRANCISCO — Just in the nick of time, the San Francisco Giants solved the Kid. 

David Bell hit a tiebreaking single off rookie sensation Francisco Rodriguez in the eighth inning and the Giants rallied past the Anaheim Angels 4-3 Wednesday night, tying the World Series at two games each. 

Somehow, the Giants slowed down Anaheim’s persistent hitters. And then, the biggest surprise of all: They broke through against Mr. Unhittable and posted San Francisco’s first Series win at home since 1962. 

“I was just trying to get a pitch over the plate I could hit hard,” Bell said. “He has great stuff and he’s been doing a good job.” 

Rodriguez had blown away all 12 San Francisco hitters he faced in the Series until J.T. Snow singled to start the eighth. 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. 

But Bell became the latest son of a major leaguer to deliver in this Series, singling sharply past diving shortstop David Eckstein. Snow scored ahead of center fielder Darin Erstad’s throw, and the celebration was on. 

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 in a game the Giants trailed 3-0. 

It was an October classic, and came on a fitting night. 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. 

Bell’s father, Buddy, and grandfather, Gus, both played in the majors. Spiezio and Barry Bonds, of course, also had dads in the big leagues and Snow’s played in the NFL. 

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. 

Twice, Lackey intentionally walked Bonds 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 sweet redemption with an RBI single that capped a three-run fifth that made it 3-all. And in a tasty 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 chopper 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 little 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 MVP of the NL 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.