Major League Baseball

Arizona's Hudson strong in D-Backs' split-squad win over SF

Published Mar. 8, 2015 7:13 p.m. ET

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Daniel Hudson took another positive step in his comeback from two Tommy John surgeries.

The Arizona right-hander pitched two strong innings in the Diamondbacks' 10-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants in a meeting of split squads on Sunday.

''Great,'' Arizona manager Chip Hale said. ''It's like we expected. He's got dominating stuff. As long as he's healthy, we know he's going to be a key part of this team.''

Hudson, in his first spring training appearance since 2012, blanked the Giants, allowing an infield single with one strikeout and no walks.

''I think every time I take the mound for the foreseeable future I'll be a little bit nervous,'' he said. ''But for the most part, once you get on the mound and the guy steps in the box, the adrenalin and the competitiveness take over and you don't think about anything else but getting the guy out.''

The Diamondbacks' Mark Trumbo homered for the second time in as many days, a two-run, opposite-field shot to right-center off Ty Blatch. Blatch also gave up a two-run homer to Arizona prospect Brandon Drury. Guillermo Quiroz homered for San Francisco.

Hale acknowledged that if everything goes well, Hudson could find himself in the season-opening rotation, with the main aim of getting him through the season healthy.

Hudson said he wants to be a starter ''eventually.''

''But whatever,'' he said. ''I'm up for anything at this point. I don't care if I'm pitching in the fifth inning in a mop-up role or I'm starting a game, as long as I'm out there getting guys out, that's all I care about.''

Hudson made three relief appearances late last season but this was his first start since a 2013 rehab start for Triple-A Reno, when he blew out his elbow, forcing the second Tommy John operation. He said it was strange getting ready to start.

''I couldn't remember what my routine was out there,'' he said. ''I couldn't remember what time I usually go out there for games to get loose, so it was an interesting to try to figure that out again. But once I started going, it kind of all came back to me.''

Drury also had an RBI single and made a diving stop at second to save a run.

A.J. Pollock led off the Arizona first with a single, took second on a groundout, stole third and scored on Paul Goldschmidt's single.

The Giants stole second twice on young catcher Peter O'Brien. Cuban signee Yasmani Thomas, who is trying out at third base for Arizona, booted a grounder in the fourth.

STARTING TIME

Giants: Blatch, who pitched last season in Class-A and Double-A, allowed five runs on five hits, including two home runs, in three innings. It was the second tough appearance in as many outings this spring. The 24-year-old left-hander gave up five runs on six hits in one inning against Oakland on Wednesday.

Diamondbacks: Hudson made three relief appearances late last season but this was his first start since his a 2013 rehab appearance for Triple-A Reno. He struck out Brandon Belt looking with a 94 mph fastball that painted the outside corner. Hudson threw 35 pitches, 22 of them strikes.

ROUGH START

Yoan Lopez, the Cuban signed to a minor league contract by the Diamondbacks in the offseason, had a rough debut to U.S. professional baseball. The Giants rocked the young right-hander for four runs on four hits in 1 2-3 innings.

Through an interpreter, Lopez said after the game that he felt good that he was throwing strikes and knows that it's early in spring training.

TRAINING ROOM

Diamondbacks: Hale says INF Chris Owings, recovering from shoulder surgery, could play in a spring game next weekend.

UP NEXT

Giants: RH Matt Cain, coming back from ankle and elbow surgeries, makes his spring training debut when the Giants play the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday in Scottsdale.

Diamondbacks: RH Chase Anderson, vying for a spot in the rotation, makes his second start of the spring when Arizona meets the Chicago White Sox Monday in Glendale.

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