LOS ANGELES — The San Francisco Giants' lineup and rotation have failed them during this miserable trip. Now their bullpen is keeping the rest of the team company.

Aaron Rowand slugged a three-run home run in the eighth inning Wednesday night, resuscitating the Giants and positioning them to win on a night Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw was absolutely dominant.

But the Dodgers erased a two-run deficit in the eighth against Bob Howry, who wasn't much better in the ninth. Closer Brian Wilson inherited a bases-loaded, no-out situation and couldn't wiggle free, walking Matt Kemp to force in the winning run in the Giants' 5-4 loss at Dodger Stadium.

Howry faced nine batters and allowed five hits plus a sacrifice fly. Orlando Hudson and Manny Ramirez led off the ninth with singles and Howry intentionally walked Andre Ethier to load the bases and set up the force at home.

The plan worked once, as shortstop Edgar Renteria threw home after fielding Russell Martin's grounder. But Wilson fell behind to Kemp and couldn't find the zone.

The Giants lost their fifth consecutive game and must win Thursday to avoid being swept on this six-game trip to San Diego and Los Angeles.

In a familiar tune, Matt Cain pitched well and didn't get enough run support to win. But the violins didn't play for Cain on Wednesday night. That's because Kershaw, the Dodgers' young left-hander, managed to out-Cain Cain.

Kershaw, who couldn't legally buy a drink until last month, allowed one hit and struck out 13 in seven innings. But his fine work was wasted before the Dodgers' bullpen could record an out in the eighth.

Left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo hit Pablo Sandoval with a pitch, Rich Aurilia lined a single and Rowand followed with his deep drive off rookie right-hander Ronald Belisario. It appeared to be just the tonic the Giants needed after their embarrassing loss here on Monday.

But Jeremy Affeldt allowed a leadoff single to Ethier in the eighth, and Martin doubled off Howry. James Loney hit a sacrifice fly and Kemp hit a tying single to center.

The Giants are supposed to feature the best starting pitching in the division, but the Dodgers' young aces are serving notice in this series. Chad Billingsley struck out 11 on Monday, which only served as a warm-up act for Kershaw. The 21-year-old was one of six pitchers taken ahead of reigning Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum in the 2007 draft.

Forgive the Dodgers if they don't have Lincecum envy.

Kershaw struck out two in each of his first four innings and didn't have to pitch from the stretch. The only hit he allowed was Bengie Molina's home run leading off the second inning — the club's first since they hit three on opening day. They had gone 213 plate appearances between home runs.

The Giants broke another dry spell in the fifth when Aurilia walked on a 3-2 pitch. The Giants hadn't drawn a walk in their previous three games, something that hadn't happened since June 4-6, 1976.

They had gone 117 plate appearances between walks.

Casey Blake hit a tiebreaking home run in the fourth inning against Cain, who had the misfortune of being matched against a bright young arm on the wrong night.

Cain completed six innings for the second consecutive start. It's something no other member of the rotation has done this season.

He allowed seven hits and issued three unintentional walks, including one to James Loney with the bases loaded in the first inning.