Major League Baseball

Tim Hudson throws 5 shutout innings, Giants beat A's 2-1

Published Apr. 4, 2015 7:46 p.m. ET

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Tim Hudson tossed five shutout innings, then stuck around in the dugout long enough to watch old pal Barry Zito pitch a perfect inning of relief for the Oakland Athletics during the San Francisco Giants' 2-1 victory Saturday in the final spring tuneup for both teams.

As Hudson got his work in for the reigning World Series champion Giants, Zito warmed up in his original ballpark and familiar No. 75 green jersey.

Zito also spent seven years with the Giants on a $126 million deal before sitting out last season. He had been looking to land a job as a major league starter, but instead is accepting an assignment to Triple-A Nashville.

''Yeah, I'm going to take it,'' said Zito, sporting a T-shirt that read ''Be Your Self.'' ''I'm going to just continue to go have some fun pitching. That's been my goal all along.''

He got up to begin stretching out in the fifth, then made his warmup throws while Hudson was on the mound - two of Oakland's original ''Big Three'' pitchers from 15 years ago back on the same field, minus Mark Mulder.

''That was kind of cool. All we needed was Mulder to warm up and come in after him,'' Hudson said. ''That would have been the topper.''

Zito ran out to start the sixth to a roaring standing ovation, and hustled off after a 12-pitch sixth to more cheers. He raised his left hand in acknowledgment.

''It was pretty cool,'' Zito said. ''Just being back on that A's mound in the Coliseum, it's just awesome out there. It's a great experience.''

Hudson is right there among the 36-year-old pitcher's biggest supporters.

''I'm happy for him and I really hope this works out for him, and if he's not putting on an Oakland uniform he's putting on somebody else's in the big leagues,'' Hudson said. ''He's definitely put in the work to get here and I think he's had a good enough spring for somebody to give him a job. I'm happy for him. I'm really proud of him. Not many people can take a year off at mid-30s - the age of 34, 35, 36 years old - and come out and compete at this level. He's been able to do it.''

Justin Maxwell's RBI double in the fourth broke up a scoreless game, then San Francisco added on when Drew Pomeranz balked in a run.

Hudson, the 39-year-old righty beginning his 17th and likely final season, allowed four hits, struck out one and walked two. He called the outing ''a nice little confidence build going into the season.''

Pomeranz, the No. 5 starter, took the loss as the A's wound up 22-11-2, losing their last two exhibition games to miss a chance at the Oakland record for spring training wins.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Giants: RF Hunter Pence had the cast removed from his broken left forearm and is now in a splint. He is set to begin swinging a bat in 10-14 days. ... LF-1B Travis Ishikawa will begin the season on the disabled list with a back injury.

Athletics: LF Coco Crisp was expected to stop by the ballpark a day after arthroscopic right elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, who attended the 35-minute procedure, said it will be close to two weeks before a timetable can be determined. Crisp will begin his rehab Monday. ''Everything was great,'' Paparesta said. ''He's recovered nicely.''

Crisp and pitchers Jarrod Parker, Sean Doolittle and Sean Nolin went on the disabled list, along with OF Josh Reddick. Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte was sent to minor league camp.

SNAZZY SCOREBOARD

The A's put $10 million into a new high-definition scoreboard, but they will unveil it Monday night after the Texas Rangers are introduced before the home team's roster and lineup.

UP NEXT

Giants: San Francisco's new retrofitted Boeing 757 with 90 first-class seats won't be ready for the trip Sunday back to Arizona for opening day. This is a change from the team's previous travel on charters through Delta and United. Manager Bruce Bochy expects the plane to be ready when the Giants leave San Diego on April 12 ahead of their home opener. ... Opening-day starter Madison Bumgarner and No. 2 starter Jake Peavy departed together for Phoenix ahead of the team.

Athletics: Oakland has a day off at home Sunday before opening against the Rangers on Monday night.

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