Seventeen years and four days after they last clinched a postseason series, the Cincinnati Reds are still waiting for that elusive victory.

Despite a brilliant performance by Homer Bailey, the Reds fell 2-1 to the San Francisco Giants in 10 innings Tuesday at Great American Ball Park in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.

The Reds still lead the series 2-1 and get a second chance to clinch today in a 4:07 p.m. game. Barry Zito will start for the Giants, and the Reds haven’t named a starter.

“We’re in a good spot,” Reds reliever Sean Marshall said. “We won those two games in San Francisco, so hopefully we can seal the deal tomorrow.”

The Reds had played near-perfect baseball for the first 27 innings in the series, but they made two mistakes in the 10th.

Jonathan Broxton gave up singles to Buster Posey and Hunter Pence to start the inning, but then got two strikeouts. With Joaquin Arias batting, a passed ball advanced the runners to second and third. Then Scott Rolen bobbled a grounder by Arias, who just beat out the throw at first as Posey scored the winning run.

“That’s the playoffs,” Broxton said. “It comes down to one play, one at-bat.”

That one run spoiled Bailey’s performance. He allowed one hit and one run in seven innings and tied a career high with 10 strikeouts.

The Giants pitchers were just as good. Starter Ryan Vogelsong, who left after five innings, and four relievers gave up four hits — only one after the first inning.

“Vogey was trying to settle in, and once he did, he pitched great,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “What a tremendous effort he gave us, and the pitch count got up there a little bit, but we held them on base, and he gave us a chance.”

The Reds opened the scoring in the first when Jay Bruce singled to right to drive in Zack Cozart from second.

The Giants answered in the third, tying the score without a hit. Bailey hit Gregor Blanco with a pitch to start the inning and then walked Brandon Crawford. After Vogelsong bunted the runners to second and third, Angel Pagan hit a sacrifice fly to center.

There the score remained, as the pitchers dueled. Bailey fanned six in a row at one point and didn’t allow a hit until there were two outs in the sixth.

Jeremy Affeldt relieved Vogelsong and pitched two scoreless innings. Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez combined for a scoreless eighth. Sergio Romo retired the side in order in the ninth and 10th.

After Bailey left, Marshall threw a scoreless eighth. Aroldis Chapman, who was shaky in his one inning of relief in Game 1, retired the side in order in the ninth with two strikeouts. The four Reds pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts. Broxton struck out the side in the 10th.