Sep 16, 2007, 20:37 GMT
Washington, DC - Tim Hudson tossed his 10th career shutout and first of the season, as the Atlanta Braves blanked the Washington Nationals, 3-0, in the finale of a three-game set at RFK Stadium.
Hudson (16-8), who entered with a three-game losing streak, yielded seven hits, while walking one and striking out six.
Kelly Johnson homered and Mark Teixeira knocked in two runs for the Braves, who had lost four of their previous six games.
The Braves remain 5 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres in the NL wild-card race.
D'Angelo Jimenez doubled and singled for the Nationals, who have lost four of five.
Washington starter Shawn Hill (4-4) went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
The Braves scored twice in the third. Hudson led off with an infield single and with one out, Edgar Renteria and Chipper Jones walked, loading the bases for Teixeira, who drove in two runs with a single to right. Hill then intentionally walked Brian McCann before inducing Jeff Francoeur to ground into a fielder's choice and Andruw Jones to ground out, ending the inning.
In the fourth, Johnson belted his 16th homer of the season, a two-out, solo shot to center.
Washington got a runner to third in the sixth, but Austin Kearns grounded out to end the inning.
Game Notes
Hudson recorded the first complete game for a Braves pitcher this year. He improved to 5-1 with a 1.09 ERA in eight career starts against the Nationals/Expos. Hudson finished with two hits, including a double...Johnson's homer broke an 0-for-14 streak...Hill entered unbeaten in his last eight starts, winning twice and getting six no-decisions...Atlanta purchased the contract of outfielder Brandon Jones from Triple-A Richmond on Sunday. He finished 0-for-4...Attendance was 23, 935.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
Your Talkback on this Story