McCarroll21
04-21-2007, 03:18 AM
Hudson Dominates Mets, Takes Series Opener
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
In a scene that is becoming awfully familiar, the Braves won behind a dominant pitching performance out of Tim Hudson. He had some help on Friday night, however, as Chipper Jones continued to hit well in Shea Stadium in the Braves 7-3 win.
The Braves set the tone early as the struck for two runs in the top of the first inning. Kelly Johnson, continuing his torrid pace, started the game with a single into left field. He moved to second on a ground out from Edgar Renteria before scoring on Chipper Jones home run. The homer was Chipper's eighteenth career home run at Shea Stadium.
After that, Hudson went to work behind a two run lead. Hudson sat down the first eleven batters he faced before a Carlos Beltran walk in the fourth inning broke up the perfect game.
In the meantime, the Braves were hard at work adding more runs for Hudson to feel comfortable with. The Braves added two more runs in the third inning on a double from Brian McCann. Chipper Jones drew a two-out walk to start the rally. Mike Pelfrey complicated matters by hitting Andruw Jones before a ground rule double from McCann scored Chipper. Andruw Jones later scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-0.
Hudson ran into his first bit of trouble in the fifth inning when Moises Alou and Shawn Green had consecutive hits. David Newhan drew a walk off Hudson to load the bases before Hudson got Jose Reyes to ground out to end the inning.
The Braves kept putting the heat on the Mets as they scored three more runs in the seventh inning. Edgar Renteria doubled to get things started. He advanced to third when Reyes throw got away from Carlos Delgado, allowing Chipper Jones to reach safely. Andruw Jones walked to load the bases before the scoring started. Jeff Francoeur and Craig Wilson each drew walks that forced in runs, and Andruw Jones again scored on a wild pitch during Ryan Langerhans at bat. The Braves lead 7-0 after seven innings.
Hudson pitched beyond the seventh inning for the first time this year as he got himself out of a mini jam in the eighth inning. With runners on first and second, Hudson made a leaping grab on a chopper up the middle to start an inning ending double play. With eight more shut out innings, Hudson has allowed just two earned runs in 29 innings on the year. His 0.62 ERA ranks second in the National League, behind only Rich Hill's 0.41 ERA.
The Mets added three runs in their half of the ninth inning to make the score appear a little more acceptable.
The win lifted the Braves back into first place by a ½ game over the Mets. Along with Hudson's dominating performance, the Braves had a few offensive heroes too. Johnson continued his current hot streak, going two-for-four with a walk to up his average to .286. Johnson has ten hits in his last four games, raising his average from .150 to .286 in the time span. Chipper Jones was one-for-four with a homer and two walks. He scored three of the Braves runs. Brian McCann was two-for-five with an RBI and Edgar Renteria, Andruw Jones, and Jeff Francoeur each added a hit.
The Braves and Mets will play again Saturday at 1:10 as Chuck James will take on Oliver Perez. The game will be aired on SportSouth.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
In a scene that is becoming awfully familiar, the Braves won behind a dominant pitching performance out of Tim Hudson. He had some help on Friday night, however, as Chipper Jones continued to hit well in Shea Stadium in the Braves 7-3 win.
The Braves set the tone early as the struck for two runs in the top of the first inning. Kelly Johnson, continuing his torrid pace, started the game with a single into left field. He moved to second on a ground out from Edgar Renteria before scoring on Chipper Jones home run. The homer was Chipper's eighteenth career home run at Shea Stadium.
After that, Hudson went to work behind a two run lead. Hudson sat down the first eleven batters he faced before a Carlos Beltran walk in the fourth inning broke up the perfect game.
In the meantime, the Braves were hard at work adding more runs for Hudson to feel comfortable with. The Braves added two more runs in the third inning on a double from Brian McCann. Chipper Jones drew a two-out walk to start the rally. Mike Pelfrey complicated matters by hitting Andruw Jones before a ground rule double from McCann scored Chipper. Andruw Jones later scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-0.
Hudson ran into his first bit of trouble in the fifth inning when Moises Alou and Shawn Green had consecutive hits. David Newhan drew a walk off Hudson to load the bases before Hudson got Jose Reyes to ground out to end the inning.
The Braves kept putting the heat on the Mets as they scored three more runs in the seventh inning. Edgar Renteria doubled to get things started. He advanced to third when Reyes throw got away from Carlos Delgado, allowing Chipper Jones to reach safely. Andruw Jones walked to load the bases before the scoring started. Jeff Francoeur and Craig Wilson each drew walks that forced in runs, and Andruw Jones again scored on a wild pitch during Ryan Langerhans at bat. The Braves lead 7-0 after seven innings.
Hudson pitched beyond the seventh inning for the first time this year as he got himself out of a mini jam in the eighth inning. With runners on first and second, Hudson made a leaping grab on a chopper up the middle to start an inning ending double play. With eight more shut out innings, Hudson has allowed just two earned runs in 29 innings on the year. His 0.62 ERA ranks second in the National League, behind only Rich Hill's 0.41 ERA.
The Mets added three runs in their half of the ninth inning to make the score appear a little more acceptable.
The win lifted the Braves back into first place by a ½ game over the Mets. Along with Hudson's dominating performance, the Braves had a few offensive heroes too. Johnson continued his current hot streak, going two-for-four with a walk to up his average to .286. Johnson has ten hits in his last four games, raising his average from .150 to .286 in the time span. Chipper Jones was one-for-four with a homer and two walks. He scored three of the Braves runs. Brian McCann was two-for-five with an RBI and Edgar Renteria, Andruw Jones, and Jeff Francoeur each added a hit.
The Braves and Mets will play again Saturday at 1:10 as Chuck James will take on Oliver Perez. The game will be aired on SportSouth.