(Sports Network) - Josh Beckett tries to pitch the Boston Red Sox to a series win this afternoon when they close their three-game interleague series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Beckett, a native of Texas, was tagged with a hard-luck loss on Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings of a 2-1 loss. The setback dropped him to 7-5 on the season, while lowering his earned run average to 3.73.

The 28-year-old right-hander, who is 2-2 with a 2.12 ERA in five starts against the Astros, has surrendered more than two runs just once over his last six starts, but is only 2-2 in that span.

After winning the series-opener on Friday, Boston watched Houston rally twice on Saturday to win an 11-10 slugfest. Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee both knocked in three runs for the Astros, who have won four of six.

Mark Loretta added a three-run home run and Ty Wigginton a solo shot.

Doug Brocail (3-3) evened his record by recording the last two outs in the eighth inning. Jose Valverde allowed a run, but struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth to record his 20th save.

Mike Lowell went 4-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored and three RBI for the Red Sox, whose three-game win streak ended. Kevin Youkilis picked up two hits and drove in three runs, while Manny Ramirez added two RBI and scored two runs in the loss.

Manny Delcarmen (0-2) was saddled with the loss and a blown save, charged with three runs and three hits in one inning of relief.

Getting the call for the Astros today will be veteran right-hander Brian Moehler, who is 4-3 with a 4.03 ERA. Moehler got the win on Tuesday against Texas, giving up a run and five hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Moehler is 4-2 lifetime against the Red Sox with a 4.01 ERA in eight starts.

Boston, which is in the midst of its first-ever visit to Houston, swept the Astros in a three-game set at Fenway back in 2003.