The Arizona Diamondbacks took advantage of offensive opportunities given to them as both Paul Goldschmidt and Geoff Blum each drove in a pair of runs, as Arizona beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2, Starting pitcher Daniel Hudson, despite a stomach bug he has been fighting for a few days, allowed two runs on a two-run hit by opposing pitcher John Danks, but outside of that, struck out the side in order in the first inning and retired the last seven hitters to face him.
Arizona took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when 3B Geoff Blum singled in Gerardo Parra and Miguel Montero with two outs and the bases loaded. 1B Paul Goldschmidt tacked on the last two runs in the third inning, when he tripled in Parra, who had reached on an error, and Chris Young.
The only two runs allowed by Hudson came in the second inning, when "things started getting away from him a little bit," as manager Kirk Gibson commented after the game. He gave up a leadoff double to Paul Konerko and hit Dayan Viciedo with a pitch. Two outs later he walked Jordan Danks and had John Danks, the opposing pitcher at the plate. Danks actually surprised Hudson by swinging at his second pitch fast ball and put it in the hole on the right side of the infield to drive in two.
Ironically enough, Hudson recalled after the game how on Thursday night he got a text message from Danks about how lost he was at the plate. "Being from an American League team," said Hudson, "you don't know if he's going to swing." After the hit, Hudson looked over at first and said that Danks sort of apologized for even swinging.
Take that atbat away, which, being spring training, was not planned out, and Hudson was marvelous. He struck out six White Sox hitters in his four innings pitched and only gave up two hits and a walk.
Get more Diamondbacks coverage over at AZ Snakepit.
For the latest AZ sports, follow us on Twitter @SBNArizona and "Like" us on Facebook.