Atlanta got seven very good innings from Tim Hudson and offensive support from Dan Uggla in the form of a three-run homer to beat Florida 5-1.

The Braves got the scoring started in the third inning against Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez. Alex Gonzalez led off the inning with a single and advanced to third thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Tim Hudson and a groundout from Jose Constanza. 

A two-out Martin Prado single scored Gonzalez to make it a 1-0 game in favor of Atlanta. Freddie Freeman singled to put runners on first and second for Uggla, who launched a first pitcher slider from Sanchez into the left field seats for his second three-run homer in as many games to give Atlanta a 4-0 lead. 

Sanchez left after giving up eight hits and four runs (earned) while walking one and striking out five in five innings.

Florida got their only run of the game off Hudson in the sixth inning. Emilio Bonifacio doubled with two outs and scored on a single from Omar Infante to cut the Marlin deficit to 4-1. 

Hudson finished with a line of 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R (earned), 0 BB, 5 K.

Reliever Jonny Venters found himself in a bases loaded, two-out jam in the mound in the bottom of the eighth, but struck out Hanley Ramirez to escape the jam.

Left-hander Randy Choate entered to pitch the top of the ninth for Florida. Choate entered the game sporting a .117 batting average against left-handed hitters, but that wasn't enough to stop Eric Hinske, who crushed a home run to right to up the Braves lead to 5-1.

Even though it wasn't a save situation, Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth inning to close out the game, including a strikeout of Mike Stanton. 

Atlanta goes for the sweep tomorrow afternoon at 1:35 PM EDT.