Tim Hudson threw eight scoreless innings and drove in a run, Jason Heyward had three hits with a homer and three RBIs and the Atlanta Braves kept rolling with a 7-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

The Braves have won four in a row and nine of their last 11, but unlike their last three victories, this one didn't require a ninth-inning rally.

Atlanta staked Hudson to an early lead as Chipper Jones made it 1-0 with an RBI single in the first and Heyward hit his ninth homer of the season, a two-run shot in the third.

Heyward added an RBI double in the three-run fourth and Brian McCann hit a solo homer in the seventh, his fifth of the season.

Hudson (5-1) turned in his eighth quality start in eight outings this year, and this one was his best to date. He allowed three runs and four walks and at one point retired 17 of 18 hitters.

The Braves pounded Pittsburgh starter Ross Ohlendorf (0-2) for six runs on seven hits, chasing him with two outs in the fourth.