Paulino's roll vs. Giants halted in sixth inning

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Juan Perez broke up a Saturday afternoon pitchers' battle at Camelback Ranch with a three-run homer off Felipe Paulino with one out in the sixth inning to help give the Giants an 8-5 victory over the White Sox.

Paulino had gone a personal 2014 Cactus League best of 5 1/3 innings but had runners on second and third with one out and a 2-2 count against Perez. The next pitch was taken deep over the left-field fence, and when Mark Minicozzi followed with a single, Paulino's afternoon was complete.

The White Sox right-hander allowed five runs on eight hits while fanning three and walking four.

Neither Paulino nor Giants starter Tim Hudson will be using this final week of Spring Training to battle for a roster spot. They will be part of the Giants and White Sox starting rotations when the season begins in a little more than one week.

So their work Saturday at Camelback Ranch simply was another step or two taken to get ready for when the statistics really count.

Hudson reached his own '14 Cactus League best with six innings pitched, allowing one run on seven hits. That run came via Alejandro De Aza's first spring home run, off a 3-1 pitch in the second. Hudson struck out two, chipped in two singles with the bat and got some help from his defense to keep the score even in the fifth.

With Matt Davidson on third and Blake Tekotte on second and one out, Adam Eaton hit a shot that was gloved by Minicozzi at first. He fired a strike home to catcher Buster Posey to nail Davidson at the plate.

The White Sox also provided defensive assistance behind Paulino with three double plays turned and a diving catch in right from Tekotte. In the second inning alone, Paulino walked three and gave up two hits but only allowed one run.

Posey topped the Giants offense with three hits, one run and two RBIs, bringing in both runs with a single to center off reliever Mitchell Boggs during a six-run sixth.

The White Sox roughed up Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt in the seventh, getting RBI singles from Tekotte and Dan Black and a two-run double from Grant Buckner to close the deficit to two runs. Brandon Hicks homered in the ninth to get back one run for the Giants.

Up next: Jose Quintana's current Cactus League struggles don't exactly indicate upcoming trouble for the start of the 2014 season -- not for an accomplished starter considered just behind Chris Sale in the rotation. But after allowing nine runs on nine batters faced Tuesday against the A's, Quintana is looking for an improved effort Sunday against the Rockies in Scottsdale. The game has a 3:10 p.m. CT first pitch and will be televised on Comcast SportsNet. Marcus Semien will get a look at shortstop, Adrian Nieto will catch and Paul Konerko is set at first base.