LOS ANGELES — The first inning suddenly has become a dicey proposition for the Braves when Tim Hudson pitches.
It happened again Monday night when Hudson labored through a four-hit, two-walk, three-run first inning in a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers to open a four-game series and a 10-game West Coast road trip.
In the Braves’ ninth loss in 13 games, the Dodgers batted around in the first inning while pushing Hudson’s first-inning opponents’ batting average to .524 (11-for-21).
He has limited hitters to a .165 average (13-for-79) in all other innings.
“I think it’s just a flukey thing,” said Hudson, who slipped to 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA in four starts. “I don’t really read into it too much. I feel good coming out of the [bull]pen. I feel like I get enough work, pregame stuff.
“It’s just one of those things where it happens to be the inning where they get opportunities to score. I’ve just got to make a little better pitches.”
The veteran right-hander has allowed two doubles, seven RBIs, three walks and two stolen bases in the first innings of his four games. In his other 22 2/3 innings, he has allowed one extra-base hit, six RBIs, two walks and one stolen base.
He’s not alone among Braves pitchers who have struggled in the opening inning this season. The Braves are third-worst in the National League with a first-inning opponents’ average of .284. Last season, they led the NL with a .224 opponents’ first-inning average.
Hudson has not had first-inning problems during his career and was coming off a season marked by exceptional first-inning results. His .229 opponents’ average in 2010 included a .175 mark in the first inning.
“I think his stuff is plenty good,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “I can’t sit here and tell you this is the reason that’s going on. I sure like him going out there every fifth day.”
Hudson has yet to make it through a scoreless first inning this season. He gave up one run in the first inning of his season debut April 3 at Washington, and two runs in the first inning of the April 8 home opener against the Phillies. The Braves won both games.
Things got worse in his next start last week against Florida, when Hudson was charged with four runs in the first two innings of a 5-1 loss. After Logan Morrison’s home run in the third pushed the lead to 5-0, Hudson retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced.
The Dodgers batted around in the first inning Monday, scoring on a Matt Kemp single and a two-run double by .150-hitting James Loney.
Once again, Hudson was sharp after the first inning, facing the minimum three batters in four of the next five innings.
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