Padres 4, Giants 3

What a flurry of events! First, we found out that Tim Lincecum was scratched from his scheduled start today because of back spasms. Any injury news regarding Lincecum has the same effect on Giants fans as a presidential assassination, but word from the Giants is that Lincecum will be ready for his next start.

Then we found out not only about 20-year-old pitching phehom Madison Bumgarner's surprise promotion, but the fact that he was going to start tonight in Lincecum's spot. Giants fans did a collective double-take. Catcher Buster Posey's promotion was already unexpected, but no one saw Bumgarner getting the call. Brian Sabean had reiterated many times that Bumgarner was on the list of September call-ups. I had mixed feelings about Bumgarner's promotion. I definitely did want to see him pitch with all of the hoopla surrounding him. However, he's only 20 years old, only two years out of high school, and had already logged a lot of innings in the minor leagues. I thought that the Giants would take the cautious route and allow him to stay in the minors.

Bumgarner did a very nice job tonight, going 5.1 innings, allowing 2 runs (on 2 solo HRs) on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and only 1 walk. It's unfortunate that he didn't get his first major-league win tonight, as Will Venable hit a towering, impressive homerun to right-center off Brandon Medders to tie the game. He was obviously a little out-of-sorts tonight, completely amped up for his debut. The scouting report on Bumgarner in the minors was that he features a high-velocity fastball, a nasty breaking-ball, and most importantly, pinpoint control. The velocity wasn't there as advertised tonight, probably because of all the innings he's logged this year, but he did show nice control, walking only 1 batter. The Giants have to decide this offseason whether Bumgarner will occupy the No. 5 slot in the rotation next year. I say have him spend one more year in the minors to build his confidence and firm up his mechanics. No need to rush him.

Overall, a very tough loss for the Giants. Bumgarner kept them in the game, and the bullpen made enough errors for the Padres to eke out a run. Unfortunately, Colorado keeps winning at home and now the Giants are 3 games back in the Wild Card. Another big start for Barry Zito tomorrow to win this series going into this weekend against the Dodgers.