Tim Hudson outdueled Tim Lincecum and came within one out of his first complete game this year, leadoff man Martin Prado drove in Atlanta's first three runs and the Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 5-2 on Saturday to secure just their third series win of the season.
Lincecum (2-2) was tagged for five runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings after he carried a no-hit bid into the eighth inning Monday at Colorado. He did get his first hit of the season in front of a very supportive sold out crowd in San Francisco.
Hudson (3-2) followed up Tommy Hanson's strong outing a night earlier with his own impressive performance in a matchup of two undersized, hard-throwing righties.
Hudson allowed nine hits, struck out four and didn't walk a batter in an efficient, 112-pitch outing.
The Giants made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth, but could not pull off the come from behind win.
The team will need to put a W in their column Sunday in order to avoid a sweep.
