Tim Hudson pitched seven strong innings Sunday, retiring the final 17 batters he faced, and led Atlanta to an 11-2 win over Washington at Nationals Park.

Hudson (1-0) allowed just one run and three hits and struck out five to help the Braves win the rubber game of the opening series of the season. Hudson also drew a walk and scored a run on a headfirst slide in the fifth inning.

Relievers Jonny Venters and Scott Linebrink each pitched a scoreless inning to nail down the win for Atlanta.

Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann (0-1) allowed four hits, three walks and three runs - two earned - in six innings. The bullpen let it get away; five relievers were tagged for eight hits and eight runs, four of those against rookie Brian Broderick.

Atlanta’s offense was paced by Brian McCann, who was 3-for-5 with four RBI and a stolen base. McCann’s opposite field hit through an over-shifted infield drove home two important runs in the seventh. Martin Prado, the only Braves batter without a hit in the first two games, had three hits on Sunday.