Tim Hudson pitched seven scoreless innings Thursday afternoon, and the Atlanta Braves shut out the Colorado Rockies, 1-0. The Rockies dropped three of four games in the series.
The Braves scored the game's only run in the second inning on an error involving the most routine of all routine plays. Jhoulys Chacin threw an 0-2 pitch to Brian McCann, a fastball outside to make the count 1-2. Catcher Wilin Rosario threw the ball back to Chacin, who stabbed at the ball out of frustration. The ball glanced off the web of Chacin's glove and into the area between the mound and second base.
Juan Francisco, the Atlanta baserunner on third, took off for home. Chacin fielded the ball and threw home, but his throw was wide.
Chacin only pitched 3.1 innings, but the Rockies' bullpen did not allow a baserunner in 4.2 innings pitched.
Still, the Rockies' offense couldn't overcome Hudson's performance. He gave up six hits in his seven innings, striking out two and walking two. Peter Moylan and Eric O'Flaherty combined for a perfect eighth inning, and Craig Kimbrel earned his 34th save with a dominating performance. Charlie Blackmon singled with out out, but Kimbrel struck out Carlos Gonzalez and Andrew Brown to end the game.
Colorado begins a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday in Philadelphia. Jeff Francis pitches against Cliff Lee in the series opener Friday at 5:05 p.m. MT.
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