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Hudson, McCann help Braves snap skid, top Reds

May 3, 2008 - 4:18 AM By Justin Hanover PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ATLANTA (Ticker) - Tim Hudson's pitching has started to form a pattern of late, and it worked out just right for the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Turner Field.

After alternative wins and losses over the last month, Hudson tossed a three-hitter and Brian McCann belted a two-run homer as the Braves snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

Hudson (4-2) struck out 10 to reach double digits for the 10th time in his career. He retired the side in order in the ninth to cap his 22nd complete game.

"That's a good hitting ballclub, and the last two starts haven't exactly been textbook for me, so it's nice to come out here and give us a chance to win," Hudson said. "I feel confident out there, and to be able to make some pitches and throw a shutout is nice."

Edinson Volquez (4-1), who failed to join Brandon Webb (six) of the Arizona Diamondbacks as the only National League pitchers with at least five wins, pitched well in defeat. The 24-year-old allowed two runs and four hits while striking out nine in six innings for Cincinnati, which lost its third in a row.

"Edinson did pitch a good ballgame," Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. "But that's the best I've seen Hudson since in Oakland. He was dealing tonight. His ball was dipping and diving. I'd like to think it was him and not us."

The fourth inning proved to be Volquez's undoing.

Chipper Jones led off the frame and reached second base after Corey Patterson dropped the ball for an error in center field. Two batters later, McCann blasted his sixth homer of the season into the right field seats to account for all the offense.

"As a catcher, there's not a better feeling in the world," McCann said. "You don't get many of those. We needed this win big-time and we need to keep winning."

"It (McCann's home run) was the only bad pitch of the night," Volquez said. "I had a fastball in my hands and changed it to a changeup, the wrong pitch. All of my pitches worked well tonight, I just missed on the changeup."

For the season, Volquez has given up only five earned runs in 35 1/3 innings and has yet to allow more than one earned run in any start.

"He's (Volquez) a good one," Baker said, "and he may be a great one."

Edwin Encarnacion, who reached base on an infield single in the eighth, extended his streak to 22 straight games.

"I had a real good feeling for my changeup in spring training, but I just hadn't really had a chance to go with it in the past few starts," said Hudson, who improved to 105-19 in games he has pitched seven or more innings. "It was there for me tonight."

Jones had a pair of singles and reached base in all four of his plate appearances.

Jeremy Affeldt, who allowed one hit in one inning, made his 300th career appearance.