Aug. 7, 2010
Hudson leads D-backs to 2-1 win over PadresBy JOHN MARSHALL (AP) -
PHOENIX -- Dan Hudson (ODU'08) pitched into the eighth inning to outduel Jon Garland in his second start with Arizona and Adam LaRoche hit his 18th homer, lifting the Diamondbacks past the stumbling San Diego Padres 2-1 on Friday night.
Hudson, 2-0 (3-1 overall) with Arizona had a lot to do with it, giving up a solo homer to Will Venable in the third inning and two singles after that in 7 2-3 innings. Aaron Heilman worked the ninth for his fifth save in nine chances and eighth straight scoreless outing.
Hudson is 3-1 overall with a 3.73 earned run average. He has 22 strikeouts in 31.1innings of work. As a Diamondback, he is 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA and only three walksin 15.2 innings.
Part of a trade-deadline deal that sent right-hander Edwin Jackson to the Chicago White Sox, Hudson had a stellar opening start with the Diamondbacks, holding the Mets to a run and three hits in eight innings on Sunday.
The right-hander was just as sharp in his home debut, the lone mistake a hanging breaking ball that Venable hit out to right for a homer that tied the game at 1-all in the third.
Hudson didn't allow a runner past second after that and got a lift in the seventh inning from LaRoche, who made a highlight-reel-worthy snag of Chase Headley's grounder by sprawling to his right and getting back to the first-base bag in plenty of time.
"He's fearless out there. You are not going to see a ton of emotion, but he's not backing down from anybody," said first baseman Adam LaRoche, who hit his fourth home run in seven games.
"To play behind a guy who is pounding the zone and getting balls put in play, quick innings, is nice."
Hudson retired 18 of the first 21 batters he faced while throwing 18 first-pitch strikes.
"When you get that first pitch strike, it automatically puts them in a hole and gives me an advantage. It's very important to get that first pitch over in every at-bat," Hudson said.
"When you are throwing well, you are able to get into a pretty good rhythm. I felt good out there, good fastball command. I didn't have very good command of the offspeed stuff, but just enough to keep them off-balance."
Many in the crowd of 22,168, perhaps sensing a bright future, applauded and came to their feet when Hudson was removed with two outs and a runner on first in the eighth inning, so left-hander Jordan Norberto could face left Adrian Gonzalez.
"He battled all night and gave a great performance. The fans responded," Aaron Heilman said.
Garland got some defensive help in the second inning after LaRoche's solo homer.
Shortstop Miguel Tejada had the first one, diving up the middle to snare Rusty Ryal's grounder, then throwing him out from his knees. Three pitches later, second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. scooped up Gerardo Parra's slow chopper and flipped it to first with his glove.
Garland walked six -- one intentional -- giving him 61 on the season. He allowed two runs and three hits before being lifted for a pinch-hitter to start the eighth.