Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Chipper Jones drove in two runs and Tim Hudson was solid in 7 2/3 innings on the mound, as the Atlanta Braves took down Washington, 3-1, in the second test of a three-game set at Nationals Park.
Hudson (11-5) gave up one run on seven hits to improve to 10-1 lifetime against the Nationals. In fact, he has won nine straight decisions against them since his lone loss on June 5, 2006. The right-hander also struck out seven and walked one.
Martin Prado went 3-for-5 with two runs scored for the Braves, who bounced back from a 3-0 loss in the opener of this series.
Mike Morse knocked in the lone run for Washington, which has lost four of five. Livan Hernandez (7-7) lasted just 4 1/3 frames in the start, allowing three runs on six hits.
The Braves plated a pair of runs in the first. Prado singled and Jason Heyward doubled to get things started. Jones followed with a sacrifice fly to center. After Brian McCann walked to put men on the corners, Eric Hinskestruck out. However, McCann broke for second on the strikeout, which caused catcher Ivan Rodriguez to throw to second. McCann was caught in a rundown as Heyward sprinted home. Heyward beat the tag and McCann made it to second base.
Washington stranded runners on the corners in the third.
Atlanta added another run in the top of the fifth to make it a 3-0 game. Prado doubled and Heyward walked with one out. Jones then hit an RBI single to left, chasing Hernandez from the game. Doug Slaten took over on the hill and got McCann out. Tyler Clippard was then called in from the bullpen. Pinch-hitter Matt Diaz flied out to end the inning.
The Nationals finally got on the board in the home fifth. Rodriguez doubled, moved to third on Ian Desmond's groundout and scored on Morse's single.
Billy Wagner pitched a perfect ninth for his 23rd save of the season.
The last Braves player to steal home was Rafael Furcal on April 9, 2000...Hernandez fell to 6-16 lifetime versus the Braves.