Lost in the dramatics of Brian McCann's late inning grand slam was the performance of Tim Hudson spinning seven shutout innings at the Phillies while battling a sore ankle. Early on it didn't look like Hudson was long for the game after he aggravated the injury on a pitch to Carlos Ruiz prompting a visit by Fredi Gonzalez and trainer Jeff Porter.
Hudson convinced them to let him stay in the game and he continued his mastery on the mound. After the game Gonzalez talked about Hudson's performance and the decision to leave him in the game.
"It was one of those things, that ankle he's been having trouble (with) bites him and it bit him pretty good. And he did it two times within four pitches, but he wasn't going to come out of the game. He said I'll figure it out. (pitching coach) Roger (McDowell) and I were worried that he would change his delivery a little bit or hurt his arm. And he goes no, I'll be fine. And Mac said the ball is still coming out good. He gave us a hell of a chance to win the ballgame against a pretty tough lineup."
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