(Sports Network) - Youngster Edinson Volquez looks to provide another bright spot in a dismal early season for the Cincinnati Reds tonight when they visit Turner Field to open a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves.

Volquez, acquired in the offseason for outfielder Josh Hamilton, has allowed only four runs on 20 hits in 29 1/3 innings of work in 2008, winning four times and picking up a no-decision.

He'd been just 3-7 in 14 starts with the Rangers over two seasons before the trade, turning in consecutive earned run averages of 7.29 and 4.50.

Volquez has not allowed more than one run in any start this season and, in his most recent three wins, has surrendered just three runs on 12 hits in 19 innings.

He has never faced the Braves.

Veteran right-hander Tim Hudson seeks to keep a perfect career record against the Reds. A 32-year-old product of Columbus, Georgia, Hudson is 2-0 in three lifetime starts against the Reds, allowing 11 runs and 27 hits in 20 1/3 innings while posting a 4.87 ERA.

He was beaten, 4-3, by the New York Mets in his most recent start, however, allowing seven hits and all four runs in just three innings of work.

Previously, he'd won three of four decisions in April.

On Wednesday in St. Louis, Aaron Miles and Rick Ankiel each drove in a pair of runs to back the six-inning effort of Braden Looper, as the Cardinals notched a 5-2 victory over the Reds in the rubber match of a three-game series at Busch Stadium.

Aaron Harang (1-4) took the loss and fell to 0-3 in his last four starts. He surrendered three runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts in six innings.

Ryan Freel was 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Reds, while Edwin Encarnacion homered in defeat.

Atlanta, meanwhile, lost its fourth straight game on Wednesday, falling to the Washington Nationals, 3-2, in 12 innings at Nationals Park.

Mark Kotsay was 3-for-5 with an RBI in the loss, while Yunel Escobar and Mark Teixeria each contributed two hits for the Braves, who were swept in the quick two-game set. Acosta (0-1) took the loss in his two-plus innings of work, being credited with the final two tallies.

The Braves have lost all nine of their games decided by a run this season and 14 consecutive dating back to last year.

Cincinnati won six of its seven meetings with the Braves a year ago and has won eight of the last 10 matchups, including four straight in Atlanta.