SCOTTSDALE -- The Diamondbacks would like to see a more composed Daniel Hudson this season. Like they did Friday.
Maybe the best thing about White Sox pitcher John Danks’ two-run single was the way Hudson handled it. After Danks singled in two runs with two outs in the second inning, Hudson struck out Alejandro de Aza to strand two runners and keep the score tied at 2.
Hudson then retired the next six batters he faced, giving him six perfect innings in his last seven after a nine-up, nine-down start against San Diego on March 11.
"He powered through it," manager Kirk Gibson said.
It is all about a mindset, said the emotional Hudson.
"It’s one thing to have competitive fire. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve been forever. It’s another thing to let it hamper your progression," Hudson said.
Hudson was 16-12 with a 3.49 ERA in his full season in a rotation last year, but he occasionally let innings get away from him when opponents strung a few hits together.
"I wear everything on my sleeve. It’s a good trait about me, and it’s also a bad trait. I think that’s the way I got last year, and I wasn’t able to move forward and get the next guy out. I was worried about the pitch I just threw instead of worrying about the next pitch that I have to throw to get the next guy out.
"You work on it and you continue to get better. It’s hard to do sometimes, but at the same time, you have to do it in this game."
Gibson said he has talked to Hudson about letting the last play go.
"I know early in the year I would walk by in the dugout and he barely could hear you. He was really frustrated. He is a little more mature this year and probably is going to be much more composed in those situations," Gibson said.
"He’s such a perfectionist that he gets frustrated with himself. I’m not asking him or anybody else not to get frustrated, because it can be good for you. (But) when you are frustrated, you just kind of lose your focus."
#FAKEJOHNDANKS
Danks a former teammate of Hudson's with the White Sox, texted Hudson on Thursday about feeling uncomfortable at the plate, although that did not stop him from lining a 1-0 fastball into center field for a two-run single. Hudson was sort of amused.
"It was more funny than anything. I didn’t think he was going to swing," Hudson said.
"He texted me last night and was making fun, like, 'I have no clue what’s going on at the plate.' I wasn’t expecting him to swing. I looked at him when he was on first base and he gave me little smirk and he’s like 'My bad, man. My bad.'"
Hudson sent a reply text after he left the game, although he wouldn't reveal the message.
SATURDAY PROBABLES
Left-hander Joe Saunders will oppose Texas right-hander Scott Feldman on the D-backs’ only visit to Surprise to play the Rangers this spring. Saunders will make his first start since his abbreviated outing against Cleveland on Tuesday, when he took a line drive off his lower left leg and left after facing only three batters. Saunders was hit more on the meaty part of his leg than the shin, which limited the damage.
Right-handers Chris Jakubauskas and Sam Demel also are scheduled to pitch for the D-backs. It will be Demel’s first appearance in more than a week after he felt tightness in his forearm and was held back as a precaution.
NOTES
Infielder Rusty Ryal suffered what appeared to be a torn left hamstring injury when he struck first base with a lunge while trying to beat out a grounder to deep shortstop in the sixth inning. "He said he heard something pop," Gibson said. Asked if the injury was significant, Gibson said: "Could be. It could take a while." Ryal had missed several days earlier in camp with a groin strain. ... Paul Goldschmidt’s two-run triple broke a 2-2 tie in the third inning Friday. "Goldy’s been swinging better. He’s focusing on getting on top of the ball more. It seems like he has a better path to the ball -- shorter. He’s been getting results the last couple of days, and that always helps you stay with the program," Gibson said. Goldschmidt, hitting .222, and Ryan Roberts lead the D-backs with six RBIs apiece.
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