Angels at Giants
San Francisco's Tim Hudson isn't sure if 2015 will be the end of a 17-year career in which he has won 214 games as he takes the mound Saturday when the Giants host the Los Angeles Angels. "I feel pretty good," the 39-year-old Hudson told reporters during a media session Friday while discussing his future and hinting that family is a reason that he's leaning toward retirement. "I feel as good as most 40-year-olds can feel trying to play a young man's game."
Hudson underwent surgeries in 2008 (Tommy John), 2011 (back) and 2013 (ankle), but said he would consider returning in 2016 if his body feels all right at the end of this season. San Francisco took the opener of the three-game interleague series 3-2 on Friday when pinch-hitter Joe Panik belted an RBI single up the middle with two out in the ninth inning. The Giants have won six of their last nine games after a 4-10 start while Los Angeles fell to 2-2 on its six-game road trip to the Bay Area. The Angels give the ball to Hector Santiago, who walked a career-high six in his last turn.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, FSN West (Los Angeles), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Hector Santiago (2-1, 2.28 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Hudson (0-2, 3.91)
Santiago received a no-decision in Los Angeles' 5-4 loss to Texas in 11 innings on Sunday after allowing two runs (one earned) and four hits while striking out five and struggling to find the strike zone. “I felt like I was doing everything the same but missing early in the count and that put pressure on me,” the 27-year-old New Jersey native told the Orange County Register. "... It was kind of tough. But I made my pitches when I needed to and kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win.'' Santiago has never faced San Francisco and only two of its players - Casey McGehee (0-for-2) and Justin Maxwell (0-for-1).
Hudson received a no-decision after yielding three runs in seven innings of a 5-4 victory at Colorado on Saturday in his third quality start in four outings this season. The Georgia native is 13-7 with a 3.85 ERA in 25 starts against Los Angeles, but hasn't faced the Angels since 2011, when he allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings of a 9-0 loss as a member of the Atlanta Braves. Hudson has struggled with Albert Pujols (14-for-32, three home runs, seven RBIs), but permitted only six hits in 30 at-bats against the rest of the team.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pujols on Friday missed his second straight game because of a hamstring injury and will likely miss the series since there is no designated hitter.
2. Giants RF Hunter Pence on Friday took batting practice for the first time since breaking his left hand in spring training.
3. The Angels own the best interleague record since 2007 at 96-53.