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Hudson Dominates, Braves' Offense Explodes In Easy 12-3 Win

Ahhh, that's better. Coming off two dispiriting losses, the Braves jumped out to a big early lead, and this time they held on to it with an iron fist. The fist belonged to Tim Hudson, who had some spectacular movement on his pitches tonight. That movement led to 13 strikeouts--an absurd 12 of them swinging. The 13 K's are a new career high for Huddy*, and the most by a Brave since John Smoltz struck out 15 in 2005. Hudson struck out the side in both his first and last innings, struck out at least one in each inning, and recorded his 1,500th career K along the way. His only walk was intentional, and he gave up only 6 hits and 1 run in 7 innings.

* Coincidentally (not ironically) his previous high of 12 also came against the Marlins, in 2007.

After coming up short in the first despite a leadoff double by Omar Infante, the Braves went to town on Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco in the second. Matt Diaz, Destroyer of Marlins, led off the inning with a homer. Alex Gonzalez and Melky Cabrera followed with singles. That brought up Hudson, who sacrificed them over nicely. The next batter, Infante, reached on an infield single, scoring Gonzalez. Jason Heyward and Martin Prado then walked, the latter driving in a run to put the Braves up 3-0. Then came the big blow, a bases-clearing double by Brian McCann that made it 6-0.

Nolasco was pulled after the second inning after being charged with 7 hits, 3 walks, and the 6 runs. He struck out no one, a sure sign that something was probably wrong, presumably the torn meniscus in his knee. I suppose we'll know for sure if the Marlins place him on the DL soon.

The Braves added 4 more runs in the 3rd and 4th off of lefty reliever Andrew Miller, including a homer by Eric Hinske. Hinske was only in the game because Derrek Lee left with a mild side strain; Lee was presumably taken out only as a precaution. Prado also had a 2-run single off of Miller, and another run scored on a botched fly ball when first baseman-turned-left fielder Logan Morrison collided with Hanley Ramirez.

Prado added a two-run homer in the seventh off of Burke Badenhop to make it 12-1. Eric O'Flaherty and Kyle Farnsworth worked the 8th and 9th, respectively, for the Braves, giving up a run each.

Star-divide

Stat of the Game

Brian McCann is now 5/10 with the bases loaded this year, with 2 grand slams, 2 doubles, a walk, and 3 sac flies. He has 21 RBI in 14 plate appearances in that situation. His slash line is .500 / .429 / 1.300. And none of this is including his bases-clearing double in the All-Star game.

Awards

MVP
Tim Hudson-- 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB (1 IBB), 13 K, 7/14 GB (50%), 0.113 WPA

Honorable Mention
Matt Diaz-- 2/5, HR, 2 R, RBI, 0.112 WPA
Omar Infante-- 2/4, BB, 2B, 2 R, RBI, GIDP, 0.109 WPA
Martin Prado-- 2/4, BB, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI, K, 0.025 WPA
Jason Heyward-- 1/3, 2 BB, 2 R, K, 0.071 WPA
Brian McCann-- 2/3, 2B, 3 RBI, 0.033 WPA

LVP
Ricky Nolasco-- 2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 1 HR, 3 BB, 0 K, -0.358 WPA

Clutch Play
Diaz's homer to start the scoring (0.116 WPA)

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The fist belonged to Tim Hudson

Is that you Chip? Good win tonight.

DON'T GO TO SLEEP EARLY OR JEFF FRANCOEUR WILL HAUNT YOUR DREAMS AND LOWER YOUR OBP. - Scott

by BullManUGA on Aug 28, 2010 10:49 PM EDT reply actions  

I've been trying to work a legitimate "fist" into my recaps all year long.

Thanks for noticing.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Aug 28, 2010 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I noticed and appreciated the connection between the iron fist reference and its link to Huddy, but I didn’t link it to any Chip Caray statements, if that was your goal. Nonetheless, a good line with the double/ possible triple entendre. This is a good job on NON-LAZY journalism. A tip of the hat to you and your pissed-off goldfish.

by !Vive la Francoeur! on Aug 29, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

I just wanted to say one more thing:

I wish Chip Caray would shut up with his obsession with the sacrifice bunt. He acted like the Braves scored 12 tonight because Huddy got that bunt down. That’s insane. The Braves scored 12 because they got 3 homers, 20 baserunners, and some clutch hits. The WPA on the sac bunt was 0.000, meaning it had exactly zero impact on the Braves’ chances of winning. Granted, pitchers normally do worse than that, but Caray really should stick to praising the plays that actually result in baserunners and/or runs.

Whew. Sorry about that. Go Braves!

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Aug 28, 2010 10:51 PM EDT reply actions  

He's a big devotee

Of all of that hitting behind the runner, bunting guys over even with an out on the board old school stuff.

" I'm sick of feeling like my team can't do anything right. If I wanted to feel that way, I'd have become a Mets fan." - pacgnosis

by Sam Jethroe on Aug 28, 2010 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

From time to time

Too often, it’s just wasting outs and trying not to lose.

" I'm sick of feeling like my team can't do anything right. If I wanted to feel that way, I'd have become a Mets fan." - pacgnosis

by Sam Jethroe on Aug 29, 2010 2:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

Right.

It was a good play in that scenario, but I just don’t like it when he gets carried away, like bunting is a good strategy for scoring runs. Bunting means outs.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Aug 29, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

Can we get an update on how Omar is stacking up for the batting title?

It feels like with him hitting leadoff and getting a lot of at bats he should be on track to have enough to qualify.. am I correct?

by liv4sport100 on Aug 28, 2010 10:57 PM EDT reply actions  

he doesn't even need to qualify* to win it

plus, i hope he doesn’t. less money to pay him later.

by kbertling353 on Aug 28, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

he needs

39 more hits.

Atlanta Hawks=the team that drafted big $$$$$$$$$ instead of big men.

by hawves on Aug 28, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

This is about right.

If he plays every day and hits about .300 the rest of the way there’s a good chance it’s his. If Bobby starts resting him when Glaus comes back then he’s gonna have to go on a tear.

by StapleGun on Aug 29, 2010 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

Mac morphs into Lou Gehrig with the bases juiced.

by get swoll yunel on Aug 28, 2010 10:59 PM EDT reply actions  

+1
too lazy to look it up, but isn’t Gehrig still the career GrandSlam leader?

by fandave on Aug 29, 2010 6:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

he has 23

Manny has 21

Atlanta Hawks=the team that drafted big $$$$$$$$$ instead of big men.

by hawves on Aug 29, 2010 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

Wins

I missed them. Congrats to Tim Hudon on his milestones reached in this game. Well done. Studly pitching wins games. It’s so much better when its puit together with awesome offense. Great game all around. Hudson rocks!

Atlanta Hawks=the team that drafted big $$$$$$$$$ instead of big men.

by hawves on Aug 28, 2010 11:01 PM EDT reply actions  

Yay! A win!

Can I reallocate some of those excess runs to tomorrow’s game against Josh Johnson, though?

"Never doubt Derek Lowe's ability to win despite himself."

by EricGreggWasPaidOff on Aug 28, 2010 11:09 PM EDT reply actions  

Prado's 0.025 WPS

is oddly low for a 5 RBI night. Oh how tricky all those numbers be.

Bring MLB to Portland.

by Dandretti on Aug 28, 2010 11:11 PM EDT reply actions  

Well,

he didn’t do too much (except the bases-loaded walk) until the game was out of hand. The homer and 2-run single added basically nothing to the Braves’ win chances even though they were 4 RBI. Still, it was a fine night for Martin, which is why I put him in the HM section.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Aug 28, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

^WPA

I understand why. It’s always weird when a guy has a ton of RBI’s for a night and only one of them really helped his team win. Just sayin’.

Bring MLB to Portland.

by Dandretti on Aug 29, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions  

ayyyy

braves win!!!

Jason Heyward...great guy

by KINGSLYTUT on Aug 28, 2010 11:12 PM EDT reply actions  

Great win

Hudson has been flat out dominant the whole year and truly is our ace. A series win tomorrow would be big, especially since Josh Johnson is pitching

by Braves24 on Aug 28, 2010 11:13 PM EDT reply actions  

right here right now

JHEY is gonna tee-off on JJ

Jason Heyward...great guy

by KINGSLYTUT on Aug 28, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

if he hits another HR tomorrow that would tie him with 2nd on the team with 16.

by drumzalicious on Aug 29, 2010 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions  

Ah

That’s more like it! I have a good feeling about tomorrow. Go Braves!

"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones

by Jman781 on Aug 28, 2010 11:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Check 1. Check 2 tomorrow.

"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West

by NCChopper on Aug 28, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

Phew...

When I said I had a good feeling, I wasn’t expecting that…I’ll take it.

"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones

by Jman781 on Aug 30, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

It's ALL in the soul patch

Chip Caray: SWING AND A DRIVE, BELTED RIGHT…..and McCann makes the catch by the dugout.

by Hudson's Soul Patch on Aug 28, 2010 11:30 PM EDT reply actions  

Sure is :)

"We can't win every game. I keep thinking we can, and it's been 51 years, we've never done it yet."
- Manager Bobby Cox.

by HEYJUDE on Aug 29, 2010 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yes indeed...

the man is definitely an “ace”, no matter what FIP or xFIP or advanced stats say.

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 30, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

Good Game

If Lee’s soreness lingers you figure it almost guarantees a call up for Freeman

by drumzalicious on Aug 29, 2010 12:10 AM EDT reply actions  

It was basically already guaranteed that Freeman would get called up anyways, because the rosters are fixing to expand. (:

by bravesbby12 on Aug 29, 2010 12:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

i dont think

it was ever a guarantee. last year Heyward played great and they didnt bring him up when we were an outside shot for the WC. This year being in the lead of our division would probably put even more pressure on the youngin

by drumzalicious on Aug 29, 2010 6:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

I would think it is more of a guarantee of Glaus getting activated.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Aug 29, 2010 7:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

THANK YOU!!

finally, someone in Baseball Tonight says the Braves are going to win the NL East, Eduardo Perez told that the Braves are going to win it with our 1-2-3-4 punch + alex gonzalez and our amazing defense in the infield that we have, plus the expierence of Bobby Cox… Doug Glanville said the Phillies will win because the offense was coming around and they know how to finish the season in the last 10 games.

The PuertoRican Kid

by Kobe:The Legend on Aug 29, 2010 12:26 AM EDT reply actions  

that wasn´t the first time that i heard that from espn

i heard on the videoblog called “Dos en Bases” from “espndeportes.com” or Spanish ESPN. One of the guy said that the Braves will win the NL East, he said that before the MLB start and again in one of the lastest programs

by joshant on Aug 29, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions  

The Phillies offense is coming around?

In there last 10 games they’ve only scored more than 3 runs once, and they only got 6 then.

by StapleGun on Aug 29, 2010 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

OT

Chapman got claocked at 105mph…DAMN!!!!

Jason Heyward...great guy

by KINGSLYTUT on Aug 29, 2010 12:36 AM EDT reply actions  

Ya, a guy on the local (Huntsville) sports talk radio was ranting about it today. He was going off about the Red’s (Reds’?) decision to put him in the BP. I gotta say, I’m a bit dubious about the 105. I will remain skeptical until I validate that, but still, it is impressive.

by !Vive la Francoeur! on Aug 29, 2010 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

i just hope

he doesn’t end up needing TJ surgery at the end of the season like Strasburg.

It seems to me like the Braves organization might be one of the few that actually tell their pitchers not to pitch at max velocity all the time. JJ can dial it up to 96 but he stays in the 92-93 range. Hanson was reported to get up to 97-98 but keeps it in the same range as JJ.

I think these teams need to cal these little flamethrowers down to protect their arms for the long term

by drumzalicious on Aug 29, 2010 6:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

Give Dusty two weeks

Chapman’s arm will be shot, no doubt about it.

"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton

by UMDBHIK on Aug 30, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions  

A much needed win tonight. Time to get back on a roll, playing at home.

by LEastCoastBears on Aug 29, 2010 12:49 AM EDT reply actions  

prado w/ 5 RBIs and a .025 WPA...

thats gotta be some kind of record for least important 5 RBI game ever

by SouthernPanther on Aug 29, 2010 2:29 AM EDT reply actions  

Seems like it, but it isn't even close.

Over 1,700 guys have had a 5() RBI game and a WPA of 0.000 or less. The worst WPA with 5 RBI was Tino Martinez in 1996: 5 RBI, -0.210 WPA.

Hideki Matsui and Del Ennis have both had negative WPAs despite knocking in 7. Nothing like some garbage-time RBIs.

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Aug 29, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions  

Hey TC family!

Sorry I wasn’t able to be there for the OT, I got caught up in family obligations, but all I wanna say is HOW ’BOUT THEM BRAVOS!!!!!!!!!!

"A good friend of mine used to say, This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains. Think about that for a while." - Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh

by KJDH2154 on Aug 29, 2010 3:09 AM EDT reply actions  

about time...

first time posting but long time reader – greetings from Colorado – was good to see us holding on to a 10-1 lead, went to all 3 games vs rockies this week and Wednesday just about killed me..

by sticklorat on Aug 29, 2010 3:33 AM EDT reply actions  

Man, that must have been horrible.

Welcome to posting, though!

"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson

by Jacob Peterson on Aug 29, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

Nice win. Hopefully this will start an 8 of 9 or some sort of run like that.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Aug 29, 2010 4:40 AM EDT reply actions  

Absolutely. This thing is way too tight for me.
One of the 1st things I do every day is check the NL standings.
This morning, the Braves have 33 more games on their schedule, their record is 74-55 and they have only a 2 game lead over the Phillies in the East. The Braves are 2.5 games behind the Padres for best record. (A tie would give us the home field advantage.) In the (hopefully) worst case scenario, the Braves are 3.5 games ahead of Giants for the Wild Card.
I would be much more at ease if an 8 or 9 game run of wins happened.

by fandave on Aug 29, 2010 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions  

yea i agree

of course in an ideal world we would be 8-9 games up by the time we play the phillies at the end of the season in those two series.

by drumzalicious on Aug 29, 2010 6:58 AM EDT up reply actions  

Trouble is, we are only responsible for half of that possible outcome. The Phillies have to lose too.

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Aug 29, 2010 7:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

We are very fortuneate that the Phillies have lost every night that we have lost for the past week or so.

We should have lost this lead by now.

Maybe it IS destiny…

This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Aug 29, 2010 7:13 AM EDT up reply actions  

that is my position and I’m sticking to it.

by fandave on Aug 29, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe it IS destiny

Atlanta Hawks=the team that drafted big $$$$$$$$$ instead of big men.

by hawves on Aug 29, 2010 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

It would be nice

to see a Braves pitcher, even if it’s just for mop-up duty, to come in the game, focus and not allow any runs. Just saying.

"If we score, we may win. If they never score, we'll never lose."
-Erk Russell

by DavetheDawg on Aug 29, 2010 9:37 AM EDT reply actions  

Will be feeling pretty good if the Braves can follow that up with a win over Johnson. Let’s go Bravos!

by CharlotteChop on Aug 29, 2010 11:34 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Glad to see the boys kick some ass today!

What is the most funny thing is I was telling my wife last night before the game, that Huddy has to get rid of the beard! And what do you know… In any case lets keep this thing rolling Bravo’s!

by UpstateNyBravesFan on Aug 29, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions  

Diaz and Hnske

Hit homers off of a RH and LH respectively. Awesome.

Bring MLB to Portland.

by Dandretti on Aug 29, 2010 11:52 AM EDT reply actions  

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