Hudson’s ‘redneck’ comes out in Braves victory

Vivlamore reporting from Turner Field.

The Braves needed a big performance from Tim Hudson Thursday.

They got it.

In the words of catcher David Ross, Hudson let his “redneck” show. After losing the first two games of their series against the Giants, Hudson scattered eight hits and two runs over 7-1/3 innings in a 3-2 win.

Ross was referring to Hudson’s ability to bear down and come up big when needed.

“He had a little bit in his craw, and when he gets that little bit of redneck coming out in him, he’s really good – and you can quote me on that,” Ross said.

“He is our horse. We expect him to pitch well. He made his pitches when he had to. He got into a little bit of trouble but that’s what happens when you are aggressive. You are going to give up some hits. If you keep pounding that fastball in there and his sinker, he’s going to be in the game in the eighth inning. When he starts nibbling and we only get five [innings] out of him, then you have to have four or five guys out of the bullpen.”

Ross said at times this season Hudson’s sinker hasn’t had the downward bite that has made it his bread-and-butter pitch. The movement has been there of late.

“It was just changing speeds,” Hudson said of Thursday’s success. “I didn’t feel particularly great out there. I located when I needed to. There were a couple times when I got out of my mechanics a little bit. I kept them off balance with some cutters, some change-ups, some curveballs.”

- Chris Vivlamore