Hudson Pitches Gem In Victory, Leaves Game With Gruesome Injury

Jul 24, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson (15) reacts after being injured in a collision at first base with New York Mets left fielder Eric Young Jr. (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Gattis, Dan Uggla, and Andrelton Simmons provided the power, and Tim Hudson provided the excellent pitching Wednesday night in a 8-2  Braves’ victory. But all that was overshadowed by an injury to Tim Hudson in the eighth inning.

Gattis hit a solo shot to the second deck in the second inning, while Uggla and Simmons launched three run and two run homers in the 5th inning. The Braves would add two more runs in the ninth inning on a passed ball, and a Justin Upton single.

Hudson was rolling through what was arguably his best outing of he season. He had racked up nine strikeouts, while allowing only four hits up until the point where the injury occurred. In the bottom of the eighth, Eric Young Jr. was at the plate with runners at second and third, one out. Young hit a sharp ground ball to Freeman, who knocked the ball down, and quickly flipped the ball to Hudson as he raced to cover first. As Hudson’s foot came down on the bag, Young’s foot landed on Hudson’s right ankle. On the replays that followed, you could see the ankle collapse under the weight of Young’s foot. Immediately following the play, Young turned around and raced back to Hudson, well aware Hudson was in serious pain. Hudson remained on the ground for several minutes, surrounded by Young, training staff, and his teammates, before eventually being carted off the field.  Hudson and Young shared a handshake before Hudson was carted off, and you could see Young wiping tears from his eyes as he walked off the field.

The injury put a damper on what was a very profitable night for the Braves, as the Nationals lost in Pittsburgh 4-2, and the Phillies are losing big in St. Louis.

At the time of this writing, the severity of Hudson’s injury is unknown. Updates to follow when more news becomes available.

UPDATE: The diagnosis for Hudson is a fractured ankle. He will undergo surgery when the swelling goes down.