Bucs go down quietly Friday
PITTSBURGH — No need to wait for the ninth inning to win this one. With Tim Hudson giving up only three singles and Jason Heyward rattling PNC Park with line drives, the Atlanta Braves put the Pirates away early and easily.
Heyward homered and drove in three runs to support Hudson's eight dominant innings and the Braves coasted for a change, beating the Pirates 7-0 Friday night for their fourth consecutive victory.
The Braves had won three consecutive games in their final at-bat, including a 10-9 win over Cincinnati Thursday in which they scored seven runs during the best ninth-inning comeback in franchise history. They have won nine of 11 overall.
"There's nothing better than winning like we did yesterday (Thursday), then winning again," said manager Bobby Cox, who celebrated his 69th birthday. "It's kind of inspiring to win a game like we did (against Cincinnati). It gets you on rolls."
Hudson (5-1) was already on one as he won his fourth in a row this month, allowing a pair of singles by Bobby Crosby and another by Garrett Jones. Hudson hasn't permitted more than one run in any victory during the streak. The right-hander also hasn't surrendered an earned run in his last 22 innings in Pittsburgh.
Hudson was trying for his 12th career shutout and his first since May 2, 2008, against Cincinnati, or about four months before he had Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery. Cox pulled him after he threw 109 pitches.
"Asked about Hudson's sinker, the Pirates' Ryan Church said, "He's got that extra, late movement and that makes it frustrating. He's a ground-ball pitcher and it looks like he's got his arm strength back from surgery."
Eric O'Flaherty finished up the combined four-hitter — Atlanta's first shutout this season — as the Pirates were shut out for the third time in five home games and the sixth time overall.
The Pirates' Ross Ohlendorf pitched 3X\c innings in his third start since spending a month on the disabled list with back spasms, giving up six runs and seven hits.
