By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Tuesday, September 8, 2015

PHOENIX, Arizona – Even after playing another game to remember from a memorable career on Tuesday, Tim Hudson insists his plan to retire after this season hasn’t changed.

Hudson threw six strong innings in his first start since late July and hit a solo home run, as San Francisco made a badly-needed return to the win column with a 6-2 verdict over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“It was a lot of fun,” Hudson said after career win No. 221. “I felt like I was just playing the game and having fun with it. Pitched as far into the game as I could, and it was good to get back out there and compete. It felt good to make some pitches and give the team a chance to win.”

As for reconsidering retirement, Hudson insists 2015 is it.

“This is definitely my last year,” Hudson said. “My start tonight is very gratifying, but it’s the right thing for me to do and the right thing for my family.

“But if there’s a 10-man rotation out there somewhere, I might be pretty good!”

San Francisco (72-67) did most of its damage with a five-run third-inning rally. Gregor Blanco and Hudson kicked off the rally with back-to-back home runs off D-Backs starter Chase Anderson (6-6).

After Angel Pagan singled and scored on Joe Panik’s double. Matt Duffy followed with an RBI single, scoring Panik. Two batter later, Duffy scored the fifth run of the inning on a Brandon Belt double. Anderson then departed after two-plus innings, throwing 42 pitches.

Hudson, meanwhile, gave San Francisco the quality start they were looking for. The 40-year-old right-hander gave up one earned run and struck out four without a walk in six innings. That, and going 2-for-3 at the plate. It was Hudson’s first start since July 26 against Oakland.

“He’s had such a long wait, he wasn’t stretched out, and to go out there with that kind of stuff was amazing,” Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said, noting that Hudson would remain in the rotation for the rest of the season. “It tells you a lot about the man and how determined he was tonight. He was prepared, and what great stuff. I couldn’t be happier for him.

“It was vintage Huddy. He was hitting his spots with good off-speed pitches, had good movement on his pitches,” Bochy continued. “He’s been a great teammate through all of this, and I know the guys are happy for him too.”

Hudson’s home run was the fourth of his career. His last round-tripper came against Washington on April 30, 2013, off Zach Duke.

“I don’t think I’ve taken BP in about two months,’ Hudson said. “Maybe BP is a little overrated! I don’t want to mess my swing up! I’m not a big home run hitter, (Anderson) supplied the power and found the barrel. As pitchers, we don’t usually get to help ourselves out too much, un less you’re (Madison) Bumgarner.

“To get some hits and generate some runs felt really good.”

Bochy marveled at Hudson’s performance, saying, “Wasn’t that something for a 40-year-old guy? I know that will stay in his memory bank for the rest of his life. He’s had a lot of wins and a lot of great games, but at this stage, to go out and perform like that, is really impressive.

“He hasn’t had more than one or two BP’s. It’s not like he’s watching video and hitting a lot in the cage. It’s probably something hitters can take from – just go up there and take a good swing.”

The Diamondbacks scored their first run in the fourth when consecutive singles by Paul Goldschmidt, David Peralta and Jarrod Saltalamacchia loaded the bases with one out. David Lamb then fouled out to third baseman Panik, whose throw home wasn’t in time, allowing Goldschmidt to score. But catcher Buster Posey’s throw to shortstop Ehire Andrianza caught Peralta overrunning the bag at third base for the third out.

“That play stopped the rally, saved pitches for Huddy, that was a key point in the game,” Bochy said.

Saltalamacchia’s solo home run in the seventh cut the San Francisco lead to 5-2. In the ninth, Panik parked a solo home run to right-center, extending the Giants’ lead to 6-2.

Josh Osich, Hunter Strickland, Sergio Roma and Santiago Casilla finished the last three innings for San Francisco, combining for four strikeouts and no walks.

While Hudson’s performance brightened things up in the Giants’ club house, the win, at least, stopped some of the bleeding. San Francisco is 3-6 on its current road trip and still trails the Los Angeles Dodgers by eight games in the NL West, and nine games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card race, a half-game ahead of Washington.

“The only thing we can control is to go out and win games,” Bochy said. “Nothing is going to matter if we don’t win some games.”

GIANT JOTTINGS: SS Brandon Crawford left Tuesday’s game in the fourth inning due to tightness in his left side and left calf. Bochy said Crawford may need “a couple of days, hopefully not more” before returning to the lineup. … LHP Jeremy Affeldt was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list. Affeldt subluxated his left knee while playing with his three sons at their home near Spokane, Wash., on a Giants day off on Aug. 24. … Probables for Wednesday’s game involve a pair of right-handers – Chris Heston (11-9, 3.54) for San Francisco and Zack Godley (4-1, 1.62) for the Diamondbacks. … The Giants have Thursday off before returning to AT&T Park to host a weekend series against San Diego. … Tuesday’s paid attendance at Chase Field was 18,683.

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