That it was a perfect learning experience did not make Sunday’s loss to Atlanta any easier for the Nationals to swallow.
For nine innings they flailed helplessly against Braves starter Tim Hudson. For nine innings their pitching staff saw exactly how a true ace looks when at the top of his game.
Hudson earned his fourth win of the season against the Nats, scattering seven hits over nine innings for a complete game in Atlanta’s 3-0 victory at RFK Stadium.
Hudson walked one batter, struck out six and allowed just one National as far as third base, stranding D’Angelo Jimenez there after a leadoff double in the sixth.
“That’s been the case with [Hudson] against us for a while now,” said Nats manager Manny Acta. “He has totally dominated us. He threw the ball well and we were overmatched.”
Hudson pitched seven innings in each of his previous three starts against the Nats (66-83) this season. In his four starts, Hudson allowed a total of just two earned runs and 20 hits with 26 strikeouts and three walks.
It was a clinic as well for Nats starter Shawn Hill, probably the likeliest candidate on Washington’s staff right now to develop into an ace in the Hudson mold. But as impressive as Hill has been this season — a 3.01 ERA in 15 starts despite a lengthy stay on the disabled list — he has just 26 career starts to his name. There is plenty left to learn.
Hill, still dealing with tendonitis in his right arm and a sore left shoulder, battled through five innings. But his command was absent. Hill allowed four walks, one intentional, and gave up a solo home run to Kelly Johnson in the fourth. Desperate for runs, Acta had to pull Hill for a pinch hitter in the fifth.
“Hudson is the perfect guy for me to watch because I throw the sinker like he does,” Hill said. “He has total command of the strike zone and uses all his pitches. If I can’t learn something watching that, then there is something wrong with me.”
