Sports Network | June 17, 2010
Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Troy Glaus' two-run double in the sixth inning was the difference as Atlanta nipped Tampa Bay, 3-1, in the finale of a three-game interleague series at Turner Field.
Jason Heyward homered for the Braves, who won two of three in the set and four of five overall.
Tim Hudson (7-2) worked seven strong innings for the win, scattering four hits and one run and fanning five despite issuing four walks. Billy Wagner turned in a scoreless ninth for his 12th save.
"Two out of three against any team is always good, especially against a team like them," Hudson said of the series. "They're one of the best in the American League and we just played some good clean baseball. First game got away from us, but to come back and win the next two really says a lot about our club."
Carlos Pena drove in the lone run for the Rays, who have lost three of four.
James Shields (5-6) pitched well in defeat, charged with only five hits and three runs over six full frames.
Atlanta picked up its key two runs in the sixth with two outs, as Hudson led off with a single and Martin Prado followed with a base hit. Both runners advanced on a Brooks Conrad sacrifice bunt and Brian McCann was given a free pass before Glaus rocketed a two-run double to right.
"Hudson got a knock up the middle and men on first and second we didn't get the guy out," Shields said of the fateful inning. "I made a good pitch to Glaus and I think I broke his bat with it -- but he ended up hitting it where we were not."
Hudson worked around a two-on, two-out situation in the seventh by getting pinch-hitter Willy Aybar on a grounder to second.
Jonny Venters turned in a scoreless eighth then Wagner retired the side in order in the ninth to lock up the win.
Pena's RBI single got the Rays on the board in the fourth, but Heyward responded in the home half with his 11th homer of the season.
Hudson upped his career record to 7-1 against Tampa Bay...Atlanta improved to 4-2 in interleague play, while Tampa Bay fell to 4-5...Heyward hadn't gone deep since May 29...The Rays are still a league-best best 23-10 on the road...The Braves improved to 21-7 at home this season.