Hudson, Zito Matchup Turns Into 14-10 Slugfest As Rookie Steals The Show
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Rookie Jarrett Parker became the first Giants player to have at least three homers and seven RBIs in a game since Willie Mays did it 54 years ago, overshadowing the disappointing starts in the feel-good matchup of Tim Hudson and Barry Zito as San Francisco beat the Oakland Athletics 14-10 on Saturday.
Parker hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the eighth for his third home run. Mays, the Hall of Famer, had four homers and eight RBIs on April 30, 1961, at Milwaukee.
Hardly at their old best of yesteryear when they dominated as part of Oakland's "Big Three," Hudson and Zito shared their brief moment to say goodbye to the Bay Area baseball fans in what began as a nostalgic, throwback moment and ended with Parker's power surge.
Short it was for the starters, with Oakland's Zito throwing two innings and outlasting Hudson's 1 1-3 for the Giants, 11 years after they last pitched together here in 2004.
Parker's grand slam came against Ryan Dull (0-1) after a solo shot off Zito in the second and a two-run drive in the seventh.
Parker is the first San Francisco player with a three-homer game since Pablo Sandoval on Sept. 4, 2013, at San Diego and the first Giants rookie to hit three homers. He hit a monster drive into the second deck Friday night and has five home runs in his last nine at-bats.
Defending champion San Francisco staved off elimination from the playoff race for at least a day. The Giants were eight games back of NL West-leading Los Angeles, with the Dodgers playing a night game at Colorado.
Marlon Byrd hit a tying sacrifice fly in the eighth after a two-run double in the first against Zito as San Francisco went ahead 4-0.
The A's (65-90) have their first 90-loss season since 1997 (65-97). Every team but the Yankees and Cardinals have at least one 90-loss season since then.
Hudson yielded consecutive bases-loaded walks and a hit batsman with the bases full to make it 4-3 in the second. Manager Bruce Bochy removed Hudson to boos, then the pitcher walked off and gave a slight wave and tip of his cap though clearly disappointed.
The fans kept cheering Hudson as Ryan Vogelsong threw his warmup tosses, then Hudson re-emerged for the curtain call. He tapped his heart, pointed toward Zito, pumped his fist in the air and waved in all directions.
Just a few minutes later, Zito walked Buster Posey to begin the third and his day, too, was done. The left-hander briefly covered his face with his jersey and walked off, tipping his cap before disappearing into the dugout. Zito returned to wave between innings as fans chanted "Barry! Barry!"
Hudson had never faced the A's here and was back on the Coliseum mound for the first time since Oct. 3, 2004.
Reliever Javier Lopez had No. 17 black Hudson T-shirts ordered for everybody to wear them before the game. Oakland players wore Zito-style high green socks for his first start in the majors since Sept. 25, 2013, and likely his last.
Hudson was scheduled to start the series finale against the Dodgers on Thursday at AT&T Park, where the Giants plan to recognize him during their final homestand.
Zito's first pitch touched 85 mph, while Hudson's initial offering was clocked at 87 - and how about NBA champion Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors on his ceremonial first pitch? He hit 89.
Josh Osich (2-0) pitched two innings for the win and Santiago Casilla recorded two outs for his 36th save.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Giants: INF Ehire Adrianza is still experiencing vision issues, headaches and trouble sleeping as he deals with a concussion. OF Gregor Blanco says he's "better" from his concussion.
Athletics: The A's will take a few days before determining whether to shut down RHP Sonny Gray, who dealt with tightness in his left hip during Friday's start. ... Backup C Carson Blair is out for the season because of a torn medial meniscus in his left knee that will require surgery soon.
UP NEXT
Giants: Rookie RHP Chris Heston is 0-5 with a 4.60 ERA over his last nine starts, allowing eight homers and going past the fifth inning just twice.
Athletics: September callup LHP Sean Nolin (1-1) faces the Giants for the first time.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
