Hudson happy to be tested by Cincinnati

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- In April or later, Tim Hudson would have been disgusted with himself.

But since this was March, Hudson reveled in his inelegant performance in the Giants' 8-5 exhibition victory Tuesday over the Cincinnati Reds.

Hudson exceeded 70 pitches, thus building arm strength. He singled twice, forcing him to run the bases on the right ankle he injured last July. He allowed four runs and five hits while walking three in 3 2/3 innings, giving him plenty of practice in pitching from the stretch position.

"It was work that I needed," Hudson said. "Definitely a step in the right direction from the conditioning standpoint. The [statistical] line wasn't what I wanted it to be, but I felt like today was a very good workday for me."

Hudson, who allowed two hits and zero runs in five innings spanning his two previous Cactus League appearances, attributed his shaky pitching to his cut fastball, which he rated below standard.