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| "ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 30: Tim Hudson #15 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the seventh inning to the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 30, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)" |
Is the third time a charm? Tim Hudson will make his third attempt to reach 200 wins in his career tonight at Turner Field against the rival Nationals. Hudson appeared to have his 200th win sealed up when he exited his last start against the Rockies with a two-run lead. Unfortunately for Hudson, the Rockies struck for two runs in the bottom of the 9th off closer Craig Kimbrel and eventually winning in the 11th inning. Huddy pitched great against the then red-hot bats of the Rockies, allowing three runs on six hits, walked two batters, and struck three over six innings en route to his no decision. In his third start of the season against the Nationals, Hudson out pitched Strasburg, only a run on four hits, and struck out three over seven spectacular innings. Nationals are going through a similar road game-heavy schedule that the Braves just finished up. Last night's game marked the beginning of a stretch where the Nats play 22 of their next 32 games on the road, which begins and ends at Turner Field. Getting the ball tonight will be Gio Gonzalez, the Nationals second ace. Gonzalez looked like his normal self in his last outing against the Reds, going eight innings and allowing just one run on one hit, walked two batters, and struck out seven on his way to his second win of 2013. But Gonzalez struggled mightily against the Braves on April 14th. Over five innings, Gonzalez allowed seven runs on seven hits, walked three batters, and struck out three as the Braves whipped up on the Nats, 9-0. Entering tonight, Gio Gonzalez is 2-3 with a 6.08 ERA in 5 career starts against the Braves. Tim Hudson is 15-5 with an ERA of 2.60 in 27 career starts against the Nationals.
FIRST INNING:
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| "ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 30: Andrelton Simmons #19 of the Atlanta Braves hits a solo homer in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 30, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)" |
In Washington's first offensive stretch, Tim Hudson would retire the side in a 1-2-3 fashion as Denard Span was called out on strikes; followed by Danny Espinosa flies out to left fielder Justin Upton and finally, Bryce Harper flied out to center fielder B. J. Upton to end Washington's offensive start. The Braves offense would get a jump start as Andrelton Simmons homered on a fly ball to left field to put Atlanta up 1-0. It was Simmons second home run of the season. Chris Johnson struck out swinging for the first out. Justin Upton walked to add a runner with one on with one out. Freddie Freeman struck out swinging for the second out. Evan Gattis doubles on a fly ball to left fielder Tyler Moore. Justin Upton scored and gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead with two outs. After Dan Uggla walks with two men on with two outs, B. J. Upton reaches on catcher interference by Wilson Ramos. Evan Gattis to 3rd. Dan Uggla to 2nd. B. Upton to 1st. Reed Johnson strikes out swinging and Atlanta left the bases loaded and took a 2-0 lead into the next inning.
SECOND INNING:
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| "ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 30: Tim Hudson #15 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base as he scores in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 30, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)" |
In the Nationals second stint, Adam LaRoche starts off by flying out to center fielder B. J. Upton; followed by Ian Desmond grounds out sharply, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman and Tyler Moore grounds out softly, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman as the Braves turned yet another 1-2-3 inning. Tim Hudson would open the Braves next offensive stretch as he doubles on a fly ball to left fielder Tyler Moore. Andrelton Simmons bunt pops out to pitcher Gio Gonzalez for the first out. Chris Johnson singled on a line drive to left fielder Tyler Moore. Tim Hudson scored and Atlanta took a 3-0 lead with one out. With Justin Upton batting, wild pitch by Gio Gonzalez, Chris Johnson to 2nd. Justin Upton called out on strikes for the second out. However, Atlanta continued their great start as Freddie Freeman singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span. Chris Johnson scores. Evan Gattis walks. Freddie Freeman to 2nd with two outs. Dan Uggla struck out swinging as the Braves took their 4-0 lead to the next inning.
THIRD INNING:
In Washington's next stretch, Chad Tracy grounds out, first baseman Freddie Freeman to pitcher Tim Hudson; followed by Wilson Ramos grounds out softly, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman. After Gio Gonzalez walks, Denard Span grounds into a force out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to second baseman Dan Uggla. Gio Gonzalez out at 2nd for the last out of the inning. As the Braves came up to bat, B. J. Upton walks with no outs. With Reed Johnson batting, B. Upton picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Gio Gonzalez to first baseman Adam LaRoche to shortstop Ian Desmond. Reed Johnson strikes out on a foul tip and Tim Hudson would strike out as the Braves maintained a 4-0 lead.
FOURTH INNING:
Danny Espinosa opened the inning for the Nationals as he struck out swinging. Bryce Harper walked to place one man on with one out. Adam LaRoche grounds into a force out, first baseman Freddie Freeman to shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Bryce Harper out at 2nd. Adam LaRoche to 1st. Ian Desmond grounds into a force out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to second baseman Dan Uggla. Adam LaRoche out at 2nd for the final out and the Braves ended any threat of Washington. As for the Braves, Andrelton Simmons singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span. Chris Johnson strikes out swinging for the first out. Justin Upton walks. Andrelton Simmons to 2nd. Freddie Freeman grounds into a force out, shortstop Ian Desmond to second baseman Danny Espinosa. Andrelton Simmons to 3rd. Justin Upton out at 2nd. Freddie Freeman to 1st for the second out. Evan Gattis singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span. Andrelton Simmons scores. Freddie Freeman to 3rd to give the Braves a 5-0 lead. Dan Uggla strikes out swinging and the Braves took a 5-0 lead into the next inning.
FIFTH INNING:
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| "ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 30: Tim Hudson #15 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a solo homer in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 30, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)" |
Washington opened their offensive stint with Tyler Moore double on a fly ball to right fielder Reed Johnson with no outs. Chad Tracy grounds out to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Tyler Moore to 3rd for the first out. Wilson Ramos grounds out softly, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Tyler Moore scores as the Nationals would cut the deficit to 5-1. Pinch-hitter Roger Bernadina replaces Gio Gonzalez and he would grounds out to first baseman Freddie Freeman as the Nationals inning came to an end. In Atlanta's next offensive stretch, B. J. Upton grounds out, third baseman Chad Tracy to first baseman Adam LaRoche for the first out. Reed Johnson grounds out softly, third baseman Chad Tracy to first baseman Adam LaRoche for the second out. After the two outs, Atlanta would come out swinging as pitcher Tim Hudson homers on a fly ball to right field. Andrelton Simmons singled on a soft ground ball to pitcher Zach Duke. Chris Johnson hits a ground-rule double (7) on a fly ball to right-center field. Andrelton Simmons to 3rd. Zach Duke intentionally walked Justin Upton. Freddie Freeman singles on a ground ball to right fielder Bryce Harper, deflected by first baseman Adam LaRoche. Andrelton Simmons scores. Chris Johnson scores. Justin Upton to 3rd and Atlanta took a 8-1 lead with two outs. Evan Gattis grounds out and the Braves took a commanding lead to the next frame.
SIXTH INNING:
Denard Span opened the inning with a single on a ground ball to shortstop Andrelton Simmons with no outs. However, Washington would not capitalize as Danny Espinosa would strike out swinging for the first out; followed by Bryce Harper strikes out swinging for the second out. Adam LaRoche flies out to center fielder B. J. Upton and the Nationals couldn't capitalize on the runner as the Braves maintain their 8-1 lead. In Atlanta's next offensive stretch, they would go down in a 1-2-3 fashion as Dan Uggla flies out to center fielder Denard Span; followed by B. J. Upton grounds out softly, first baseman Adam LaRoche to pitcher Zach Duke and finally, Reed Johnson grounds out to first baseman Adam LaRoche and the Braves would still lead 8-1.
SEVENTH INNING:
Ian Desmond would generate some offense for Washington as he lead off with a triple on a line drive to right fielder Reed Johnson. However, the Nationals couldn't capitalize as Tyler Moore grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman for the first out; followed by Chad Tracy strikes out swinging and finally, Wilson Ramos called out on strikes. Atlanta would go down in a 1-2-3 fashion as Pinch-hitter Juan Francisco strikes out swinging for the first out; followed by Andrelton Simmons lines out to right fielder Bryce Harper and finally,Chris Johnson flies out to right fielder Bryce Harper as the Braves lead 8-1 at the end of the inning.
EIGHTH INNING:
Anthony Varvaro replaced Tim Hudson as the pitcher to start this inning and would send the Nationals down in a 1-2-3 fashion as Pinch-hitter Steve Lombardozzi grounds out, pitcher Anthony Varvaro to first baseman Freddie Freeman; followed by Denard Span grounds out, first baseman Freddie Freeman to pitcher Anthony Varvaro and finally, Danny Espinosa strikes out swinging to end the Nationals inning. Atlanta would face reliever Henry Rodriguez and he wouldn't face a huge threat from Atlanta's offense as Justin Upton strikes out swinging for the first out. Although Freddie Freeman singled on a line drive to right fielder Bryce Harper, the Braves couldn't capitalize as Evan Gattis popped out to shortstop Ian Desmond for the second out and Dan Uggla grounds out softly, second baseman Danny Espinosa to first baseman Adam LaRoche and the Braves took their 8-1 lead into the last inning.
NINTH INNING:
Atlanta wouldn't encounter any trouble as they ended the game sending the Washington Nationals out in a 1-2-3 fashion as Bryce Harper flies out to left fielder Justin Upton; followed by Adam LaRoche grounds out softly, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman and Ian Desmond flies out to right fielder Reed Johnson as the Braves earned another win over their division rival and improved to 17-9 on the season and a remarkable 5-0 against the Washington Nationals in the 2013 MLB season.
WINNING PITCHER:
Tim Hudson (3-1):
(7.0) Innings Pitched, (3) Hits Allowed, (1) Earned Run, (2) Walks Allowed and (6) Strikeouts
LOSING PITCHER:
Gio Gonzalez (2-2):
(4.0) Innings Pitched, (7) Hits Allowed, (5) Earned Runs, (5) Walks Allowed, and (9) Strikeouts
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
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| "ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 30: Tim Hudson #15 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the third inning to the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 30, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)" |
Although the Braves entire offense was clicking in tonight's contest, this game will be dedicated to Tim Hudson. Hudson finally earned his 200th career victory and it couldn't have been against a better opponent than the Washington Nationals. Tim Hudson's previous attempts against Pittsburgh and Detroit fell short; however, he made sure from the start that this would indeed be his 200th win. Hudson pitched (7) innings, allowing (3) hits, (2) walks, and one earned run and would strike out six Nationals batters. He would also make an impact offensively as he was (2-3) and accounted for (2) RBI's including a home-run in the fifth inning to give Atlanta's offense a boost that would put the game out of reach. Hudson, (37) is still one of the best pitchers in the MLB and can make a huge impact throughout the game. This game couldn't have went better for him and his performance in both aspects of the game would be critical to the Braves getting a huge victory tonight.
CONCLUSION:
Tonight's win gives Atlanta an outstanding (17-9) record and they were finally returning to their winning ways and tomorrow, the Braves will look to earn another sweep against one of their biggest divisional rivals, the Washington Nationals as Kris Medlen would take the mound for Atlanta. Jordan Zimmerman would also pitch for Washington, who will look to win their first game of the year against the 2013 Braves ball club. Atlanta continues to be one of the most impressive teams around the majors to open the 2013 season and tonight's win displayed how special this unit could be throughout the season. Each night, the Braves are showing the nation that they can win ball games in many different aspects and tomorrow, they will look to extend their winning streak to a three games in a row. Until tomorrow, GO BRAVES!!!!
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