Ankiel shot gets Braves even

SAN FRANCISCO – Rick Ankiel and the Atlanta Braves came through with another comeback when they absolutely needed one.

Ankiel splashed a tiebreaking home run into McCovey Cove in the 11th inning for his first postseason clout and Atlanta rallied from a late four-run deficit to beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 on Friday night, tying their N.L. division series at a game apiece.

The Braves earned 46 come-from-behind victories this season and did it again when it mattered most – with manager Bobby Cox watching from the clubhouse after his third career postseason ejection way back in the second inning.

“It just seems like our resiliency has paid off for us all season and it’s been fun to be a part of,” Ankiel said.

Atlanta heads home to Turner Field for Game 3 on Sunday with the best-of-5 series all square.

It’s the only first-round playoff series that is even after two games.

Kyle Farnsworth pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings for the victory, relieving in the 10th after closer Billy Wagner got hurt.

Farnsworth escaped a bases-loaded jam when Buster Posey grounded into an inning-ending double play that was started by third baseman Troy Glaus.

Alex Gonzalez hit a tying, two-run double in the eighth against Giants closer Brian Wilson, who led the majors with 48 saves this season.

“I was telling our guys before the game, ‘Win this one and the momentum swings the other way,’ ” Cox said. “It’s a great club to manage. There’s no problems on this club. They’re always hustling, working out, they give it all they’ve got.”

Ankiel’s drive on a 2-2 pitch from Ramon Ramirez was just the second splash homer in the postseason at 11-year-old AT&T Park. Home run king Barry Bonds hit the other one on Oct. 10, 2002, in Game 2 of the N.L. championship series against St. Louis.

Posey grounded into 5-4-3 double play, keeping the score tied at 4. Wagner, who plans to retire after the season, first grabbed at his left side after chasing pinch-hitter Edgar Renteria’s bunt single to start the 10th inning.

The left-hander then fielded Andres Torres’ sacrifice bunt back to the mound, threw to first for the out and immediately grabbed at the area near his left hip before crumbling to his knees.

The 39-year-old Wagner walked slowly off the field with a trainer and was replaced by Farnsworth, who was given all the time he needed to warm up.

Farnsworth hit Freddy Sanchez in the right hand on his third pitch. Sanchez went down writhing in pain and was quickly examined, but he went to first base.

Wilson entered with runners at the corners in the eighth and was trying for his first career six-out save. He pitched two innings twice during the regular season.

The All-Star closer has 10 saves of five outs in his career, six this year. Wilson had gone 26 consecutive appearances without allowing more than one earned run until Friday.