Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry, the new setup combo that was supposed to represent a vast improvement, surrendered the lead in the eighth. Howry then put the Dodgers in position to win in the ninth on Brian Wilson's bases-loaded walk to James Loney.

It was a tremendously deflating loss and everyone in the room knew it. Most deflated was Howry, who faced nine batters and retired three.

"The toughest part about it was we lost four straight, the guys were sticking in there, they battled and took the lead," Howry said. "They worked hard to get it, and I gave it right back."

Now 2-6, matching their eight-game starts from 2007 and 2008, the Giants need to beat the Dodgers tonight to avoid a winless trip. The way they are hitting - or, more accurately, not hitting - the onus falls on Barry Zito.

It is hard to sugarcoat their play and predicament. Rich Aurilia, who singled ahead of Rowand's eighth-inning homer against rookie Ronald Belisario, said the team must avoid panicking.

"Hopefully," Aurilia said, "we can come out tomorrow and, I won't say end the trip on a good note, because 1-5 is not a good trip even if we win, but at least try to take it home with a win."

Matt Cain pitched well enough to earn his first career victory against the Dodgers . He held L.A.'s potent lineup to two runs in six innings, one on a bases-loaded walk in the first inning and the other on Casey Blake's fourth-inning homer.

But, for the zillionth time, Cain was victimized by poor support. Clayton Kershaw blew past his career high of eight strikeouts and notched 13 against the Giants. Their only hit in seven innings against him was Bengie Molina's second-inning homer, the Giants' first since Opening Day.

Add that to the 11 strikeouts against Chad Billingsley on Monday, and let's just say the Giants should apply for a wind-energy tax credit.

Andre Ethier's single against Affeldt started the tying rally in the eighth. Russell Martin then shot a double past third base against Howry, who let the Dodgers tie the game on Loney's sacrifice fly and Matt Kemp's RBI single. Manager Bruce Bochy stayed with Howry for the ninth, and Orlando Hudson and Manny Ramirez started the winning rally with two-strike singles.

"Obviously, with this situation, it couldn't have been any worse," Cain said. "We were getting it put to us. We got a three-run homer, which was huge. For it to end the way it did was heartbreaking, and it's always heartbreaking when it happens against the Dodgers ."