KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Tim Hudson looks to be ready for the regular season. So does Braves batterymate Brian McCann.
"I don't think either one needs any more spring training," Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones said.
Hudson allowed three hits over six scoreless innings and McCann hit two home runs as the Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 8-0 on Wednesday.
"His ball was sinking like crazy," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He had a great outing."
Hudson, out until September last season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery, is 3-1 with a 1.35 ERA in five starts this spring. He struck out four and walked two in his 81-pitch outing.
"Everything felt really good," said Hudson.
So did McCann's swing, which he has been fine-tuning to add quickness through the zone. He didn't have any trouble catching up with either of the fastballs he connected on against Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ.
The left-handed swinger hit a mammoth homer over a TV production truck behind the right-field fence leading off the second inning, then connected again against Happ for a long two-run homer to right-center in the fourth inning.
"I told him I hoped he got all of them out of the way this spring," Happ said of MaCann's home runs. "... I don't think the first one was that bad of a pitch."
McCann was 3 for 4, raising his average to .483, and his four RBI gave him 13 this spring. The catcher also had two homers in a game against Houston on March 14.
"Mac was ready from the first ballgame we played this spring," Cox said.
Happ, who was 12-4 a year ago and finished second in NL rookie of the year voting, also allowed a home run to Martin Prado in his five-inning outing. He allowed six hits and four runs, walking three and striking out three. His ERA is 3.18.
Prado's homer was his second of the spring and his 2-for-4 game raised his average to .378.
Placido Polanco had two of Philadelphia's three hits, including a double. The other hit was a single by Jimmy Rollins to start the game.
Hudson's next scheduled outing is Monday when the Braves also play the Phillies. He may pitch in a minor league game that day rather than face the NL East rival in back-to-back spring starts.
"That's something we've talked about," Cox said.
Hudson, who has a 148-78 career record, is scheduled to start the Braves' fourth game of the season on April 9 in San Francisco.
"He looks great," McCann said. "He's putting his pitches right where he wants them. He's definitely ready for the season."
So is his catcher.
"Mac has had a great spring," Jones said.
NOTES: Ryan Madson pitched the eighth inning for the Phillies and allowed three hits and two runs. His ERA is 7.20. ... Braves rookie Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth inning, pitching around two walks. He has allowed two hits in six scoreless innings, striking out 10. ... For the second time in four days, Atlanta CF Nate McLouth got extra at-bats during a minor league game. He broke an 0-for-28 streak with a single Tuesday against the Mets, but is still hitting just .053 this spring. ... Braves relievers Peter Moylan and Eric O'Flaherty pitched in the minor league game, while Eric Hinske and David Ross joined McLouth in getting extra at-bats.
"I don't think either one needs any more spring training," Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones said.
Hudson allowed three hits over six scoreless innings and McCann hit two home runs as the Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 8-0 on Wednesday.
"His ball was sinking like crazy," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He had a great outing."
Hudson, out until September last season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery, is 3-1 with a 1.35 ERA in five starts this spring. He struck out four and walked two in his 81-pitch outing.
"Everything felt really good," said Hudson.
So did McCann's swing, which he has been fine-tuning to add quickness through the zone. He didn't have any trouble catching up with either of the fastballs he connected on against Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ.
The left-handed swinger hit a mammoth homer over a TV production truck behind the right-field fence leading off the second inning, then connected again against Happ for a long two-run homer to right-center in the fourth inning.
"I told him I hoped he got all of them out of the way this spring," Happ said of MaCann's home runs. "... I don't think the first one was that bad of a pitch."
McCann was 3 for 4, raising his average to .483, and his four RBI gave him 13 this spring. The catcher also had two homers in a game against Houston on March 14.
"Mac was ready from the first ballgame we played this spring," Cox said.
Happ, who was 12-4 a year ago and finished second in NL rookie of the year voting, also allowed a home run to Martin Prado in his five-inning outing. He allowed six hits and four runs, walking three and striking out three. His ERA is 3.18.
Prado's homer was his second of the spring and his 2-for-4 game raised his average to .378.
Placido Polanco had two of Philadelphia's three hits, including a double. The other hit was a single by Jimmy Rollins to start the game.
Hudson's next scheduled outing is Monday when the Braves also play the Phillies. He may pitch in a minor league game that day rather than face the NL East rival in back-to-back spring starts.
"That's something we've talked about," Cox said.
Hudson, who has a 148-78 career record, is scheduled to start the Braves' fourth game of the season on April 9 in San Francisco.
"He looks great," McCann said. "He's putting his pitches right where he wants them. He's definitely ready for the season."
So is his catcher.
"Mac has had a great spring," Jones said.
NOTES: Ryan Madson pitched the eighth inning for the Phillies and allowed three hits and two runs. His ERA is 7.20. ... Braves rookie Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth inning, pitching around two walks. He has allowed two hits in six scoreless innings, striking out 10. ... For the second time in four days, Atlanta CF Nate McLouth got extra at-bats during a minor league game. He broke an 0-for-28 streak with a single Tuesday against the Mets, but is still hitting just .053 this spring. ... Braves relievers Peter Moylan and Eric O'Flaherty pitched in the minor league game, while Eric Hinske and David Ross joined McLouth in getting extra at-bats.