Braves’ New Closer Blows It for Hudson

Tim Hudson made a great impression on the Atlanta fans. Dan Kolb didn’t.

The new Brave closer gave up three runs in the ninth inning, ruining a strong outing by Hudson and handing the Washington Nationals a 4-3 victory Tuesday night at Atlanta.

Brian Schneider hit a two-out, two-run double off Kolb, acquired from Milwaukee during the off-season to replace John Smoltz as point man in the Atlanta bullpen.

“Obviously, you don’t want to do it this early in the season,� Kolb said. “For the fans and everyone else, you don’t want to create a confidence problem.�

Smoltz, who had 144 saves the last three years, moved back to the starting rotation and was joined by Hudson, picked up from Oakland in the Braves’ other big off-season trade.

In his first regular-season start at Turner Field, the right-hander pitched six-hit ball over eight innings, handing a 3-1 lead to Kolb.

“Obviously, you’d like to come out on top in these kind of games,� Hudson said. “But that’s how it goes sometimes.�

Arizona 4, Colorado 2 -- Pinch-hitter Tony Clark hit a run-scoring double off the center-field wall in the eighth inning and scored the go-ahead run on Royce Clayton’s single at Phoenix.

Colorado is 1-6, its worst start.

St. Louis 5, Cincinnati 1 -- Jason Marquis hit a bases-loaded triple and pitched into the seventh inning at St. Louis.

Jim Edmonds and Reggie Sanders hit consecutive homers in the sixth inning for the Cardinals.

Marquis batted .292 last year, leading NL pitchers in hits (21).

Pittsburgh 4, Milwaukee 2 -- Mark Redman survived a shaky start and a line drive off his right kneecap and Daryle Ward ended Pittsburgh’s homerless streak at 56 innings in the win at Milwaukee. David Ross, traded from the Dodgers last month, doubled twice and hit his first homer, a solo shot off Derrick Turnbow in the ninth.

Florida 8, Philadelphia 2 -- A.J. Burnett pitched an eight-hitter at Miami.

Mike Lowell and Paul Lo Duca hit two-run homers off Randy Wolf. The Marlins have outscored opponents, 34-2, in their four wins, and they have totaled only six runs in four losses.

San Diego at Chicago -- Rain caused postponement of the game, which will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.