Giants starting pitcher Tim Hudson gave up just two hits — both home runs — in a 5-4 San Francisco win over the Los Angeles Angels Saturday afternoon.
A wild ending capped off one of Tim Hudson‘s best-pitched games in years Saturday as the Giants clinched the series against the Angels with a 5-4 victory.
It was San Francisco leading the whole afternoon behind a stellar Hudson (W, 1-2, 3.78 ERA) before the Angels scored two runs in the top of the ninth with two outs and runners on first and third ready to tie the game or seize the lead.
Hudson, along with most everyone else, commented on the last out saying he’d never seen anything like it:
“I’ve seen it happen, but never to end a ball game. Especially where the base-hit would have probably tied it up or taken a lead for the other team. It was nice for us and bad for them, but we’ll take it any way we can get it.”
Hudson threw into the ninth allowing just two hits (home runs from Mike Trout and Albert Pujols) before surrendering a leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Colin Cowgil.
Aging heavy metal band Metallica was on hand for every moment of the Giants hard-hitting day and were a fitting image next to the 39-year-old Hudson, who continues to prove he’s still got it.
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo talks with friends and family before the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants on Metallica Day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo and drummer Lars Ulrich take a photograph before the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants on Metallica Day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo tosses the ball before the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants on Metallica Day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich warms up for the ceremonial first pitch as the Angels starters stretch out before the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants on Metallica Day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
(L-R) Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett perform the National Anthem before the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
(L-R) Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett perform the National Anthem before the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
(L-R) Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett perform the National Anthem before the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Giants starting pitcher Tim Hudson gave up just two hits — both home runs — in a 5-4 San Francisco win over the Los Angeles Angels Saturday afternoon.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Hector Santiago (53) throws a pitch in the first inning as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Hudson (17) is tagged out by Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) on a sacrifice bunt as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants left fielder Nori Aoki (23) hits a two-run double as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.
San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) homers in the fourth inning as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Metallica's Kirk Hammett plays "Take me out the the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) hits a solo home run i the seventh inning as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) watches a solo home run go over the left field wall in the seventh inning as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants third baseman Casey McGehee (14) singles in the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Hudson (17) receives an ovation as he leaves the game in the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) slides across home plate in the ninth inning as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Santiago Casilla (46) and catcher Buster Posey (28) celebrate a 5-4 win as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Left fielder Matt Joyce — along wi(20) walks off of the field after a line drive hit pinch runner Taylor Featherston which ended the game as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (15) shakes the hand of San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Santiago Casilla (46) after a 5-4 win as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) walks off the field despite crossing home plate after an interference call ended the game as the Los Angeles Angels face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.more
Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he was impressed with the way Hudson threw especially considering the years on his body:
“It was impressive. He was hitting his spots, getting great movement, a lot of ground balls and quick outs. It’s amazing at his age he’s out there pitching in the ninth.”
Bochy brought in Sergio Romo to replace Hudson, but after Romo came Jeremy Affeldt, then Santiago Castilla in a shaky ninth inning that averted disaster only by the exact length of Featherston’s outstretched leg.
Hudson said he wished he hadn’t left things off with a leadoff walk, but was glad to have had a good outing, especially coming away with the win:
“It felt like we had a much bigger lead than it was there at the end … it got a little hairier there at the end, a little more exciting that I think we would have liked but we’ll take it.”
Hudson gave up just two hits through eight-plus innings, while Hector Santiago allowed nine hits across five innings, including Nori Aoki‘s single line drive in the second that drove home two runs and Brandon Crawford‘s fifth home run of the season in the fourth.
Hudson was given the run support he needed in his fifth start of the year as Casey McGehee had three hits and drove in a run for the Giants. Buster Posey homered to add a run in the seventh.
Notes
The Giants have now won five straight games at AT&T Park and six of their last seven at home. … San Francisco improved to 8-3 in one run games this year. Their eight one-run victories are the most in the Majors. … Brandon Crawford hit his fifth home run of the season, which leads all Major League shortstops. … Crawford is 7-for-21 (.333) with two home runs this season against left-handed pitching. … The Angels dropped to 2-3 on their current six-game road trip. … Hector Santiago allowed a season-high four runs and surrendered a home run to a left-handed batter for just the sixth time in his career.
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