Tim Hudson turned in a spectacular performance on the mound and hit a home run, delivering the only runs in Atlanta's 2-0 series opening victory against Toronto. Hudson pitched eight innings of two hit baseball while shutting out the Blue Jays. He struck out eight Toronto batters while walking just one.
Hudson was locked into a pitchers duel with Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero for most of this game as neither offense was standing much of a chance. Romero ran into trouble in the seventh inning and looked for a second like he was going to escape without any damage.
David Ross reached on an infield single and reached second on a throwing error by former Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar. Nate McLouth moved him over to third with a ground out to first. With one out and a runner at third, Diory Hernandez stepped into the box against Romero. Hernandez impatiently swung at the first pitch, a low fastball, and grounded to Escobar who cut down Ross at the plate.
With two outs and a runner at first, Tim Hudson stepped to the plate and seemingly tired of a lack of run support, took matters into his own hands. Romero started the at bat out with a belt high fastball that Hudson jumped all over and launched into the left field stands for a two run home run. Romero crouched to the ground in disbelief as Hudson slowly rounded the bases.
With a two run lead, Hudson worked a scoreless eighth and came out in the ninth with a chance to finish off the complete game. He walked the lead off batter Mike McCoy and then allowed an infield single to Escobar prompting Fredi Gonzalez out of the dugout and to call for the closer Craig Kimbrel. The Braves closer came in smoking and struck out Corey Patterson, Jose Bautista, and Adam Lind to end the game and preserve the victory.
The victory evens Hudson's record at 6-6 on the season and lowers his ERA to 3.73. Romero is the tough luck loser and drops to 6-7 on the season. Craig Kimbrel's scoreless ninth earns him his 20th save of the season.