Hudson Takes First Home Loss, 7-2 Vs. Padres
Tim Hudson has seen his share of rough stretches, and there's only one way out. The Giants just have to keep working at it.
Hudson followed his worst start of the year with another bad result as San Francisco took its 11th loss in 14 games, losing to the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Tuesday night.
"In Chicago I was just bad," Hudson said. "Tonight, I felt pretty good. You have to give them credit, when I made a mistake they were able to capitalize."
Hudson (7-4) is not the only one in the rotation going through a rough time. The starters have an ERA over 5.00 during the Giants' recent struggles.
"It's fair to say it's our biggest issue during this tough stretch," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "The rotation put us in a good position, and to get out of this it's going to be the pitchers who do it."
Jesse Hahn (3-1) and three Padres relievers limited the Giants to five hits, all of which came between the fifth and seventh innings.
Hudson lost for the first time at home this season, allowing six runs - four earned - on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out four.
"I made some bad pitches and they hit them," Hudson said. "You have to get out there and grind through things when you don't feel you're best."
Hudson has allowed a combined 13 runs over his last two starts after giving up 19 over his first 13. Hudson was 6-0 in his first 11 starts against San Diego and has since lost three of four.
Hahn pitched six strong innings, Alexi Amarista drove in three runs on three hits and Will Venable had two RBIs. Tommy Medica added a pinch-hit home run, the first of his career, with two outs in the eighth. Cameron Maybin also drove in a run.
"They got on a roll last night and continued that through this game," Bochy said. "They're playing well and we're not. That doesn't work well."
Hahn allowed his first earned run in 18 innings when Pablo Sandoval scurried home on Tyler Corbin's infield groundout in the fifth. He allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. Hahn walked one and struck out a season-high eight.
Hahn retired the first 12 hitters before giving up back-to-back singles to Sandoval and Michael Morse opening the fifth.
Amarista, 1 for 9 against Hudson entering the game, was hitless in his eight previous at bats, though he's 9 for 25 (.360) in his last eight games.
"He's looking pretty good at the plate," Hudson said. "He's probably swinging the bat with some confidence now."
Hudson got three double plays in the first four innings before a fifth-inning error on rookie Joe Panik, his second of the game, helped the Padres score twice to open a 3-0 lead.
Buster Posey doubled home a run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 6-2.
NOTES: RHP Ian Kennedy (5-8, 3.90) starts Wednesday's series finale for the Padres. He's 7-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 18 starts against the Giants. ... RHP Tim Lincecum (5-5, 4.90) makes the start for the Giants. He's 14-6 with a 2.47 ERA in 27 career starts against the Padres. ... Giants IF Brandon Belt (broken left thumb) ran the bases and will likely start his rehab assignment Thursday with the San Jose Giants. ... Giants OF Angel Pagan (back tightness) took batting practice and was to be re-evaluated to determine whether he would be in the lineup or put on the DL. He's missed eight straight games.
Updated June 25, 2014
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