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ATL@TB: Hudson scatters four hits through 7 2/3

For the first time in more than a week, the Braves will take the field Wednesday coming off a win the previous game. They snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory against the Cardinals on Tuesday. It was the Braves' first win since May 20 against the Rays.

During the skid, the Braves tumbled from first to last in the National League East. They will send veteran right-hander Tim Hudson to the mound as they try to win back-to-back games for the first time since May 17-18.

"It's not any indication of what's going to happen tomorrow or next week or next month, but it definitely kind of snaps that feeling of 'Oh man, are we ever going to win again?'" second baseman Dan Uggla said. "I think we're going to come back tomorrow and everybody's going to try and build on what happened today."

The Cardinals, meanwhile, are trying to avoid falling into a skid of their own. They have lost four of their last six games and are assured of a losing record in May after going 14-8 in April.

Tuesday's loss dropped the Cards to 3-9 in one-run games. Manager Mike Matheny said playing in so many tight contests would make his team better in the long run.

"The best teams I've been on are the teams that played in a lot of tight games," he said. "Once they get used to the pressure, they thrive on it. But we do need more of them to go our way. For us to keep putting the pressure on like that, it's going to pay off."

Braves: With new glasses scheduled to arrive, Freeman hopes to return
• With his specially made glasses scheduled to arrive Wednesday morning, first baseman Freddie Freeman said he expects to be in the lineup for the series finale. He has been sidelined for the last four days by dry eyes that have made it impossible for him to wear contacts.

Freeman believes the new glasses will have an immediate impact and allow him to get back on the field.

"I will have goggles [Wednesday] and we're going to see if they can work [Wednesday]," he said.

• While Hudson has been one of the better pitchers in the Major Leagues throughout his 14-year career, several Cardinals will likely not be upset to see him on the mound Wednesday. Current members of the Cards are hitting .329 against Hudson.

St. Louis right fielder Carlos Beltran has been especially effective against Hudson. In 74 at bats, Beltran is hitting .351 with four home runs.

Cardinals: As much-needed off-day approaches, Freese continues to rest
• Wednesday will mark the end of a 20 games in 20 days stretch for the Cardinals that has taken its toll on the team. Five players have been placed on the disabled list in that streak.

Third baseman David Freese hasn't gone on the DL, but remained sidelined with a right wrist injury Tuesday and will likely not play Wednesday. With an off-day on Thursday, Freese said the Cards want to be cautious with the injury.

"I hope I'm better [Wednesday]," he said. "We'll see what they think about me playing and what not, but I would assume we're looking at the off-day and then getting back in there in New York [on Friday]."

• Center fielder Skip Schumaker extended his hitting streak to seven games with a fifth-inning single that skipped past Braves shortstop Tyler Pastornicky. Schumaker is hitting .346 with seven runs during the streak.

• After his stolen base in Tuesday's loss, Beltran is one shy of 300. Among active players, Beltran has the 14th-most stolen bases, just three behind Red Sox center fielder Scott Podsednik.

Worth noting
• Dating back to 2007, the Cardinals have won 11 of their last 17 games at Turner Field.

• With Tuesday's victory, the Braves improved to 8-19 without third baseman Chipper Jones in the lineup. Jones missed all eight games during the losing streak with a severely bruised left calf that eventually forced him to go on the disabled list.

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