Tim Hudson of the Atlanta Braves named National League Player of the Week

Starting pitcher Tim Hudson of the Atlanta Braves has been named National League Player of the Week for the period ending May 5th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Hudson was a perfect 2-0 last week, notching his 200th and 201st career wins to become just the 110th pitcher in Major League history to reach the 200-win threshold. He posted a 2.51 ERA, permitting four runs over 14.1 innings pitched with 13 strikeouts for the week, and ranked among N.L leaders in wins (T-1st), innings pitched (3rd) and strikeouts (T-5th). On Tuesday, April 30th, Hudson earned his 200th career victory after holding the Washington Nationals to one run on three hits across 7.0 innings of work in a 3-1 victory at Turner Field. The veteran right-hander helped his cause with the bat, going 2-for-3 with a double and a home run in the contest. According to Elias, Hudson joined Cleveland's Bob Lemon, who clubbed a two-run homer in his 200th career win on September 11, 1956, as one of only two pitchers in Major League history who have homered in a game in which they joined the 200-win club. The Georgia native became the fifth pitcher to earn his 200th career victory in a Braves uniform, and he is one of three active hurlers who are part of the 200-win club, joining New York Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte (248) and Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay (201). On Sunday, Hudson held the visiting New York Mets to three runs on five hits in his 7.1 innings of work while fanning seven en route to a 9-4 victory. The Braves' ace improved to 79-0 for his career in games where he has had a lead of five runs-or-more after his offense staked him a 5-0 advantage in the third inning. Hudson's record currently stands at 4-1 this season, and he is tied for third among N.L. pitchers in victories. This is his third career weekly award, having won previously for the period of September 9-15, 2002 (as a member of the Oakland A's) and April 9-15, 2007.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Colorado rookie Nolan Arenado (.357, 10 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .750 SLG); Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (.448, 4 R, 13 H, 3 2B, .484 OBP) and Carlos Gomez (.462, 8 R, 12 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI, .962 SLG); Pittsburgh's Starling Marte (.333, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, .875 SLG); Yadier Molina (.444, 12 H, .464 OBP) and Jaime Garcia (2-0, 1.13 ERA, 6 SO, 16.0 IP) of the St. Louis Cardinals; Miami's Marcell Ozuna (.478, 11 H, 4 2B, HR, 4 RBI, .520 OBP); San Francisco's Marco Scutaro (.500, 7 R, 9 H, .591 OBP) and Sergio Romo (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 SV, 5 SO, 5.0 IP); Cincinnati's Joey Votto (.478, 11 H, 3 2B, .556 OBP) and Mat Latos (2-0, 2.45 ERA, 10 SO, 11.0 IP); Washington's Rafael Soriano (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 SV, 2 SO, 4.0 IP); and San Diego's Edinson Volquez (2-0, 3.65 ERA, 6 SO, 12.1 IP).

In recognition of his National League Player of the Week Award, Tim Hudson will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.