We’re LIVE, as Hudson and his miracle elbow start for Braves
Braves pitcher Tim Hudson has deserved a lot of high-fives for the season he has had. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
One night after one of their worst performances in weeks, Friday’s 9-3 loss to Milwaukee, the Braves should be in good hands tonight: Tim Hudson is pitching.
I realize Tommy John surgery isn’t the equivalent of bionics, but after a while you start to wonder if Hudson was rebuilt with robot parts. A ridiculous 15 of his 18 starts have been quality starts, which is tied for fourth in the majors. He leads the Braves in wins (9-4), earned run average among starters (2.30), innings pitched (121 1/3) and opponents’ batting average (.219).
He also was the only pitcher in this year’s All-Star Game for either league who is in his first full season coming back after Tommy John surgery (he missed most of last season before coming back in September).
“I’m definitely lucky,” Hudson said. “Just the fact that I was able to come back and be strong and feel like I did when I was 25 — it’s just a blessing. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to come back. All you can do is give it your best effort and do everything you’re supposed to do and just hope and pray it turns out good. That’s kind of been the case. I never dreamed I’d have an All-Star first half. It just shows the determination and hard work pays off.”
I’ve got some good stuff from him on the surgery including his th0ughts on why he didn’t want a tendon from a cadaver used in his surgery. But I’ll save that for the column later, assuming Hudson has a strong outing against the Brewers, and why wouldn’t he?
A few things before we get started:
♦ After some rain earlier, the tarp is being off the field. There’s no expectation right now that the start of the game will be delayed.
♦ Chipper Jones is out of the lineup with a strained hamstring. He said it “doesn’t hurt just to sit and walk around,” but stopping and running is a different issue. It doesn’t seem to be a major issue, but it’s not known if he’ll be available for pinch-hitting duties.
♦ Also out of the lineup: Jason Heyward, who claimed he’s “just chillin’” and it’s a day of rest. With David Ross catching, that means Jones, Heyward and Brian McCann — most of the heart of the order — are all on the bench.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
♦
Earlier posts today
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
239 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:24 pm
Bobby’s Cox — Safe to say Bobby was getting frustrated with Escobar. But it’s not like he wishes him ill will. He said yesterday, “I hope he does well. I hope he blossoms.” But he pretty much was at the end of his rope here.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:24 pm
How is Mclouth doing down on the farm?
jesse james
July 17th, 2010
8:26 pm
The way Hudson is throwing this year, it makes you wonder just how long he threw with soreness in his arm. He is now throwing like he did with the A’s.
TnBravesFan
July 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
Jeff do you think we have a chance to get Hart from the Brewers? Do you feel like the asking price would be to high for him?
Bobby's Cox
July 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
New nickname for Prado-Inspired from the classic Styx tune-”Domo Arigato Misto De” Prado..What do ya think Jeff???
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:28 pm
Who was the last Braves pitcher to hit a HR? I think someone did it last year but I can’t remember.
Bob Horner
July 17th, 2010
8:29 pm
@Kris…Rick Camp….(I was at that game….)
jod
July 17th, 2010
8:30 pm
Kris – oh no, in fact I’m on the opposite end of the argument. I believe trading Yunel is a gross mistake.
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:31 pm
Thanks Bob. I was thinking a little more recent though.
wxwax
July 17th, 2010
8:32 pm
The World Cup pushed ESPN’s mobile video subscribers to a new high.
The Women’s Under 20 World Cup is being played in Germany right now. Cheer for the USA, the cup holders. They beat Switzerland 4-0 today. Sydney Leroux scored a hat trick, including a fabulous first goal.
* Mandatory Braves content: Go Braves!
Smile!
jesse james
July 17th, 2010
8:33 pm
Hey Bob! You’ll woke me up that morning when you’ll set off those fireworks. Was the fireworks for July 4 or for Rick hitting the homerun?
Kris
July 17th, 2010
8:34 pm
jod – I’m kind of on the fence about that trade. I was always a believer in Escobar, but that throw he made that could have seriously injured Glaus was ridiculous. Honestly time will tell, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a year or two from now we regret trading Escobar.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
Kris — McClouth who? Kidding. He’s hitting .304 (7-for-23). Here’s link to Gwinnett stats:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=t_ibp&cid=431
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:38 pm
Jesse James — I column I’m writing now for print he says he hasn’t felt like this since he was 25. That’s 10 years ago. … By the way, folks, one more inning and it will be eight straight starts in which Hudson has pitched at least seven innings.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:39 pm
TnBravesFan — Yes, I think Hart will be a popular commodity at the deadline. His stats going into this game: .293, .22 HRs, 66 RBI. Price would be very high.
Cornfuzed
July 17th, 2010
8:41 pm
Kris- Tim Hudson hit one last year.
jesse james
July 17th, 2010
8:44 pm
Jeff – Thanks for the info. He has looked unbelievable. If Hanson can get straightened out, I feel like the Braves may have the rotation in the East. I not sure we may not have the best in the NL. What is your feelings on that. I know some teams have a strong 1-2 punch but I am not sure teams have 5 like we have.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:45 pm
Well, that changes things .. Fielder clobbered that to opposite field on 1-2 pitch. Dude’s strong.
Bat Masterson
July 17th, 2010
8:45 pm
Just say no to Corey Hart.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:46 pm
Hudson is due up third in the next inning. He’s thrown 75 pitches.
jesse james
July 17th, 2010
8:46 pm
Fielder has 17 solo homeruns. That has got to be near a record.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:51 pm
Hard hit ball from Lucroy and we’ve got action in the bullpen.
TnBravesFan
July 17th, 2010
8:52 pm
Bat who do you like or who do you think would be a good pick up? I don’t want to give up a lot for a guy that has really only produced huge this year. I just feel like we need a LF more than a CF at this moment.
Cornfuzed
July 17th, 2010
8:53 pm
Back to the trade thing- I would really love to see the Braves get Cody Ross from the Marlins. Seems like he’s on the block. He would add some pop to the lineup for sure.
Eric
July 17th, 2010
8:56 pm
The answer to the trivia question was Dave Winfield for gold gloves in both leagues at an OF, but Mike Cameron did it as well. Might want to tell the press box.
Thanks!
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:57 pm
Braves really don’t want to have to go to pen here with Hudson due up next inning.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:57 pm
That pitch was 92. So he still has something left.
Here we go again
July 17th, 2010
8:58 pm
Best bullpen in the majors and he’s sticking with Hudson.who is leaking oil badly. Even if it works out, it’s not smart.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
8:58 pm
Weeks is .308 career with bases loaded, no HR.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
9:00 pm
Ooohh.. that looked like a strike.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
9:01 pm
That’s it for Huddy. I think he’s still angry about that ball 3 call.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
9:01 pm
Moylan coming in.
Here we go again
July 17th, 2010
9:01 pm
That’s all on Bobby. Poor management. No…that 2-2 pitch did not have the plate.
Sherwin-Williams
July 17th, 2010
9:02 pm
Looking forward to the Hudson article. Turns out Russ the Temporary Mascot rejected the use of the hindquarter fur of one of UGA’s cadavers, so they went with the paint.
Then Russ has to go and whine about it afterward. No wonder he’s a temp. He’s not committed to finishing the job.
Bat Masterson
July 17th, 2010
9:04 pm
TnBravesFan _ I don’t think there is anyone out there, that is worth the cost at this point. I would see if what Matty can do. And if McLouth’s rebuilt swing will work. I hate to over pay for some guy playing over his head.
toots
July 17th, 2010
9:04 pm
So the score is tied? My daughter wanted to watch the all new Dr. Who so I relinquished the television. Am I too nice?
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
9:05 pm
Hart slammed that one. New ballgame. Those 3 runs are on Hudson.
Here we go again
July 17th, 2010
9:05 pm
If Venters had been brought in to pitch to the lefty PH, the braves would be batting with a 2-2 tie.
Kerryb
July 17th, 2010
9:06 pm
One thing I won’t miss about Bobby Cox is the uncanny way he waits one pitch too many to take out a pitcher. Thats the reason that we lost those World Series games.
Cornfuzed
July 17th, 2010
9:06 pm
That may be the ball game.
Bat Masterson
July 17th, 2010
9:07 pm
Well that blows.
toots
July 17th, 2010
9:07 pm
Ugh. Never mind. Maybe I need to watch Dr. Who, too.
Kerryb
July 17th, 2010
9:07 pm
Hudson should have never pitched to Weeks.
Kerryb
July 17th, 2010
9:09 pm
I can’t believe that we are only scoring 2-3 runs a night on these pitchers.
Greg
July 17th, 2010
9:10 pm
Keeryb, you are absolutely right. Bobby often seems to wait a batter or two too long. When Hudson asked the ump where that outside pitch was, that was the sign that he was mentally done. That was just before the first of his three walks. And yes, that same flaw in Cox’s management style cost us several WS games.
Kerryb
July 17th, 2010
9:10 pm
This guy has an over 4.oo ERA and hitters are batting .271 against him. If we don’t get any hits we stink tonight.
Kerryb
July 17th, 2010
9:11 pm
I have just fumed about that for years.
Kerryb
July 17th, 2010
9:12 pm
I’m suprised that fat joker did’nt have a stroke running into the game like that.
Jeff Schultz
July 17th, 2010
9:12 pm
Sherwin-Williams — Huddy column will have a little rewrite now. He was great until the 7th.
Kerryb
July 17th, 2010
9:14 pm
This pitcher and Prince Fielder need to call Jenny.