By Morris Phillips

Giants’ fans, all you had to see was Tim Hudson pitching in the top of the fifth inning.

Of course, if Giants’ fans wanted to see more, they couldn’t. Hitting, for instance, wasn’t on display Thursday night as the A’s shut down the San Francisco bats on four hits, in a 4-0 shutout.

The former Braves and A’s pitcher, who’s 2013 season ended grotesquely, showed what kind of bite he’ll have in his pitches as a Giant, throwing six innings allowing four runs in the Bay Bridge Series opener at AT&T Park. The veteran looked healed and ready, fighting off a jam in the fifth and showing great life on his pitches throughout. And if you’re seeking a barometer on the prospects of the 2014 Giants, starting pitching is where to start. Hudson fit the bill in Thursday’s debut and throughout the spring as well.

Hudson handled the bat well, moved great, and generally looked like a 38-year old professional athlete who’s obviously taken good care of himself over the years.

“I’m still a little ways away,” Hudson said. “I feel I’m close enough to go out there and compete and give us a really good chance to win.”

But after striking out Brandon Moss looking on a 88-mile an hour fastball in the sixth, Hudson allowed a hard hit single through the infield to Yoenis Cespedes, and Josh Reddick turned on one that avoided the splash by directly impacting the third flagpole in right and bouncing back on the to the field with an assist from Levi’s Landing.

Buster Posey struck out in a big spot in the sixth, fishing at an off speed offering from Dan Otero. Pablo Sandoval followed with the extremely-rare 415-foot out to right center. “Everyday” (Hunter Pence) had two of the four hits, but the Giants were stymied by a combination of starter Scott Kazmir, Otero, Drew Pomeranz and Evan Scribner.

Pence leads the Giants this spring with 23 hits and five home runs. Hector Sanchez leads the club in RBI with 16.

Oakland has captured four of the five spring meetings with the Giants thus far.

The Giants are 17-11-1 in spring action that like wraps tomorrow night at AT&T Park with Saturday’s game doubtful with rain expected. Tim Lincecum will make his final warmup appearance on Friday night with the A’s Jesse Chavez scheduled for Oakland.