Sonstige Informationen » Valanciunas struggled from the floor

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy expected good things from Tim Hudson. Hes getting even better results than he anticipated. Hudson threw seven strong innings and left with a major league-best 1.81 ERA as San Francisco avoided a four-game sweep, beating the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Thursday. "Ive always admired him from the other side, how well he competes," Bochy said. "I felt we were getting a front-line pitcher who will give us a chance to win on a consistent basis. Hes done all weve expected and even more." Michael Morse got three hits and scored twice for the Giants, who had a five-game winning streak before Washington came to town. The Nationals have lost just twice in 10 games. "Its not much fun playing the fourth game of a series trying not to get swept," Bochy said. "The guys did a good job of forgetting the first three games and went out and played well." Hudson (7-2) allowed one unearned run and six hits. He walked two, struck out five and improved to 3-0 in his last five starts, which includes a suspended game. The Giants are 7-0 in games Hudson has started at home. "We played good defence to keep me out of some jams," Hudson said. Blake Treinen (0-3) remained winless at the major league level despite a 2.08 ERA. He gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. "Im confident I can compete at this level," Treinen said. "But I still need to improve, especially the command of my fastball." Pinch-hitter Hector Sanchez had a two-run single for the Giants. Ryan Zimmerman drove in a run for the Nationals. Jose Lobaton, making his third consecutive start behind the plate, added two hits. Hudson allowed two or fewer runs for the 10th time in 13 starts. He beat the Nationals for the 17th time, the most of any active player, in 30 starts. "I just try to go out there and give us a chance to win," Hudson said. "It doesnt matter than we lost three in a row or won three in a row. I feel like I put forth the same effort every time. When you have lost three straight to the same team theres more urgency behind it." Treinen, who replaced the injured Gio Gonzalez in the starting rotation, has pitched against tough competition. The four starters hes faced have combined for 14 opening day starts. "Hes done well and is working hard at every aspect of the game," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "He has that power slider, which is his go-to pitch. Working on the development of his other pitches is what is important." The Giants scored twice in the second. Morse singled, Tyler Colvin tripled and Brandon Crawford had an RBI grounder. San Francisco added two more in the sixth on a balk by reliever Craig Stammen and an RBI single by pinch-hitter Gregor Blanco. NOTES: Giants INF Marco Scutaro (back) was scheduled to start swinging a bat to see how hes progressing. "Hes looking forward to getting his rehab going," Bochy said. "He wants to start doing baseball activities." ... Gonzalez was scheduled to make one last rehab start Thursday before rejoining the team. ... Washington RHP Jordan Zimmermann (5-2, 3.17) starts at St. Louis on Friday night. He is 0-4 in seven starts against the Cardinals. ... RHP Tim Lincecum (5-4, 4.97) will start for the Giants when the Colorado Rockies come to town for a three-game series beginning Friday. Texas Rangers Gear . PAUL, Minn. Texas Rangers Store . Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. Tampa Bay currently holds the last of the Atlantics three automatic bids to the playoffs, but the Maple Leafs are just one point behind. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/ . After a 10-game skid, winning sure feels good. Atlantas third error in the last two innings allowed Jackie Bradley Jr. Fake Rangers Jerseys . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China. Rangers Jerseys 2019 . You can, too, Clay Buchholz, if we ignore the sixth inning of Game 2. Doug Fister and Jake Peavy, youre up next in Game 4 and theres a lot to live up to.TORONTO -- DeMar DeRozan is playing the part of the all-star perfectly. In Torontos last game before the NBA all-star break this weekend, DeRozan, who was named a reserve on the Eastern Conference team, scored 31 points -- including 14 in the third quarter -- to lead the Raptors over the Atlanta Hawks 104-83 on Wednesday. Raptors coach Dwane Casey says hes been pleased with his all-stars constant improvements. "Hes done a great job every year of getting better," Casey said. "I know he wont (get complacent), because hes such a conscientious (guy). Hes a basketball junkie. I dont see him taking time off this summer just because he made the all-star team." Kyle Lowry delivered another solid performance, scoring 16 points and 13 assists. While he wont be heading to New Orleans for all-star festivities, Lowrys strong play this season has helped Toronto go into the break leading the Atlantic Division for just the second time in franchise history. "Kyles an all-star on and off the court in my opinion," DeRozan said. "My opinion, he should be in New Orleans as well. We wouldnt be where we are today if it wasnt for Kyle. I wouldnt be where I am now if it wasnt for Kyle, to be honest. We all understand that." Patrick Patterson started for the Raptors in place of Amir Johnson, who missed his second consecutive game to rest a sore right ankle, and scored 14 points in his second start of the season. While the Raptors got off to a slow start on Wednesday night, they found themselves trailing by only five after the first quarter, despite shooting just 29 per cent from the floor. They woke up in the second quarter and took a 45-44 lead into the half. Toronto had a strong start to the third quarter, opening on a 7-0 run to take an eight-point lead and force the Hawks into a timeout. The Raptors didnt look back from there. Thanks to a brilliant quarter from DeRozan, the Raptors stretched their lead to double figures midway through the third and outscored the Hawks 33-21 to take a 78-65 advantage into the fourth quarter. After scoringg 11 points in the first half, DeRozan exploded for 14 in the quarter, on 5-for-6 shooting including two three-pointers and a three-point play.dddddddddddd. Toronto continued to dominate in the fourth quarter and easily rolled to the victory from there. "I commend our guys for coming out and focusing in the second half," Casey said. Point guard Greivis Vasquez says he saw the victory as part of an overall goal that extends beyond this regular season. "(Were) third in the East, leading our division," Vasquez said. "If thats not a motivation then youve got to get the heck out of here. You dont see these opportunities very often. Were committed to the team and we understand what were playing for. "We want to be third. We want to win our division. We want to make a run in the playoffs but weve got to finish the season strong and keep building confidence." The Hawks were led by Gustavo Ayons 18 points and 10 rebounds, with Paul Millsap adding 17 points. Torontos Jonas Valanciunas struggled from the floor, connecting on just 1-for-9 field goals, but grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Atlanta was without starter DeMarre Carroll after he strained his left hamstring in a 100-85 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. Lou Williams started in his place. Kyle Korver extended his NBA record for most consecutive games with a made three-point field goal to 120 games, connecting on 2-of-4 attempts from beyond the arc against the Raptors. The Raptors will resume their season in Washington against the Wizards next Tuesday. Toronto will send three players to New Orleans for all-star festivities, headlined by DeRozan playing in Sundays all-star Game as well as in the skills competition on Saturday night. Terrence Ross will defend his Slam Dunk title and Jonas Valanciunas will represent the team in the Rising Stars game between the leagues best rookie and sophomore players. NOTE: Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris was at the game, and the Regina native showed off the bronze medal he won at the Sochi Olympics. ' ' '