Arizona Diamondbacks’ Daniel Hudson makes first start since 2012, goes 3.1 innings

It may have been only Sunday, but the Arizona Diamondbacks’ series finale against San Diego was a bit of a throwback game.

That’s because right-hander Daniel Hudson started for Arizona on the mound for the first time since June 26, 2012.

The 28-year-old pitcher has undergone two Tommy John surgeries since, and he had made 12 relief appearances over the past two years prior to taking the hill Sunday afternoon.

Pregame #SlapHands for @DHuddy41. pic.twitter.com/owtqwkr41i

— #VoteDbacks (@Dbacks) May 10, 2015

Four out of Hudson’s last five appearances had been rocky, but the pitcher started out sharp against the Padres: He struck out five and only allowed a single through his first three innings.

Hudson got into some trouble in the fourth, loading the bases by walking two and surrendering a single. Manager Chip Hale decided to end the pitcher’s day after 3.1 innings and 56 pitches, his longest outing of the year.

New call-up J.C. Ramirez came in and got Arizona out of the fourth-inning jam at Chase Field, and a 2-0 D-backs lead remained intact.

Ramirez ate up 2.2 innings and kept the D-backs ahead by only allowing one run. Three other Arizona relievers would come in and hold the lead, and the home team won 2-1, earning a series split.

Hudson’s ERA dropped from 6.17 to 4.80 with the scoreless performance.