Diamondbacks 4 - 2 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Hudson pitches D-Backs past Nats

Aug 25, 2011 - 4:57 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Daniel Hudson came within one out of the first shutout of his career, doing it not far from where he began his ascent to the majors.

The 24-year-old right-hander also came within one out of a complete game in Arizona's 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Hudson (13-9), who was born in Lynchburg, VA, prepped in Virginia Beach and played collegiate ball at Old Dominion University, gave up back-to-back homers on consecutive first pitches to Laynce Nix and Jonny Gomes, and was then removed in favor of J.J. Putz.

It was a fabulous night for Hudson, who scattered nine hits and fanned six without walking a batter in his first career start against the Nationals.

The NL West leaders scored twice in the fourth inning and Miguel Montero provided insurance with a two-run single in the eighth, as the Diamondbacks won their second straight with the finale of the four-game series coming up Thursday night.

Arizona remained two games ahead of San Francisco in the division.

Ian Desmond had three hits for the Nationals, who wasted a decent performance from Livan Hernandez (7-12). He gave up seven hits and four runs in 7 1/3 frames.

After Hudson retired the first two batters of the ninth, Nix homered barely over the right field wall. The next pitch to Gomes was taken over the fence in left.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson walked slowly toward Hudson, and after standing on the mound, finally removed the starter. Putz, who recorded his 32nd save, got Wilson Ramos to foul out to first to end the game.

"I wanted him to finish it out, but he gave up back-to-back home runs," Gibson said. "J.J.'s done a great job in that role. It was a no-brainer."

Second baseman Aaron Hill and shortstop John McDonald played their first games in Arizona uniforms since being acquired from Toronto on Tuesday for second baseman Kelly Johnson.

The newcomers combined to go 0-for-8 at the plate, but McDonald likely saved two runs in the eighth inning, making a nifty stop on a ball hit up the middle from Ryan Zimmerman and throwing him out at first to cap the frame.

The Nationals put men on second and third with one out in the eighth thanks to a single from Ramos and a double from Desmond. Rick Ankiel lined out to first baseman Lyle Overbay before McDonald kept the 4-0 lead intact.

Justin Upton singled in the fourth and scored when Gomes misplayed a double in the left field corner from Chris Young. Overbay then singled to right field for a 2-0 lead.

Montero's base hit came off reliever Henry Rodriguez, after Hernandez loaded the bases.

"In my mind if he gives me seven (innings) I'm getting him out of there," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said of Hernandez. "I balked. We got in trouble and couldn't get out of it."

Game Notes

The Diamondbacks designated infielder Cody Ransom for assignment...Upton was back in the starting lineup a day after departing in the fifth inning after being hit by a pitch in the elbow...Zimmerman went 0-for-4 and had his 29-game streak of reaching base broken...Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth didn't play due to a groin injury.






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