Hudson, Braves Take Down Pirates 7-0

Source Yardbarker.com

Tim Hudson continued his masterful May and completely dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night with eight shut out innings en route to a Braves 7-0 victory. The win moves the Braves to 22-20 on the season and allowed them to leap frog the Florida Marlins and move into second place in the National League East. The Braves are 4.5 games behind the first place Philadelphia Phillies.

Jason Heyward was once again the offensive star for the Braves with three hits on the night including his ninth home run of the season. Heyward drove in three runs on the night giving him a team leading 33 for the season. Martin Prado, Chipper Jones, Eric Hinske, and Pitcher Tim Hudson each also had RBI hits for the Braves.

Hudson was dazzling on the mound going eight innings while only allowing three hits. He did walk four, but got a key double play to get out of an early jam. After that Hudson settled down and the Pirates hitters had no answer. Hudson also went 1-4 at the plate with an RBI single and now has a three game hit streak.

Hudson has been outstanding in the month of May going 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA. Opponents are hitting .185 against him this month. Overall Hudson is 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA.

Overall the Braves have won four straight games and have won eight out of their last ten games. They have climbed all the way from last place to second in the Eastern Division.

The Braves will be back in action Saturday night in Pittsburgh for the second game of a three game set against the Pirates. Derek Lowe (5-4, 5.47) will face off against former Brave Charlie Morton (1-7, 9.68). Morton was acquired by the Pirates in the Nate McLouth trade.