Alex Gonzalez went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and Tim Hudson and two relievers combined on a four-hit shutout in leading the Atlanta Braves to an 8-0 victory over the San Diego on Thursday.

Jason Heyward drove in a pair of runs and Melky Cabrera had two doubles and scored twice for the Braves (56-39), who took two of three in the series between the division leaders and reclaimed the National League's best record from San Diego.

Hudson (10-5) allowed the four hits - all singles - and a walk over seven innings, improving to 5-0 lifetime against the Padres. Mike Dunn and Peter Moylan helped finish off the last two frames of the shutout.

Playing in his seventh game since being acquired from Toronto, Gonzalez drove in runs with a single in the first and a double in the third and added a second double in the Braves' four-run seventh. Troy Glaus, David Ross, Eric Hinske and Chipper Jones also drove in runs for Atlanta.

Padres starter Clayton Richard (7-5) allowed four runs - three earned - on nine hits over six innings to take the loss. He had won his last three decisions.