By Jeremy Kahn

Tim Hudson will accomplish something this season that the 16-year veteran never did prior to this one.

Hudson gave up four runs in the bottom of the first inning, as the San Diego Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-0 at Petco Park.

With the loss to the Padres, Hudson’s record fell to 9-12 on the season, all but guaranteeing his first losing record since becoming a big leaguer in 1999.

The loss by the Giants dropped them three and a half games behind the rival Los Angeles Dodgers for the lead in the National League West.

Even though the Giants lost ground on the Dodgers in the race for the National League Western Division championship, the Giants lowered their magic number to clinching the wild card position down to just four, as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2.

Odrisamer Despaigne struck out six and walked one in seven innings of work, as he won for the fourth time on the season.

Despaigne walked Angel Pagan to lead off the game, but then retired nine in a row until a Joe Panik double to leadoff the top of the fourth inning.

Alexei Amarista drove in what proved to be the only runs that Despaigne would need in the bottom of the first inning, as he doubled to right-center field off of Hudson to Yangervis Solarte and Jedd Gyorko.

Cameron Maybin then made it 4-0, as he singled to centerfield to score Yasmani Grandal and Amarista.

Seth Smith closed out the scoring in the bottom of the third inning, as he doubled to right field to score Gyorko.

Panik picked up two of the three Giants hits, while Gregor Blanco also added a hit for the Giants.

Hudson went 4.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits, while walking two and striking out three.