(Sports Network) - Atlanta right-hander Tim Hudson makes his fourth career start against Houston today when the host Braves open a three-game series against the Astros at Turner Field.

The Georgia native, who'll turn 33 in 10 days, is 1-0 in three lifetime starts against the Astros, allowing 14 hits and just three runs in 24 innings, walking five batters and striking out 20 while opponents hit just .173 against him.

He defeated the New York Mets on May 22 to improve to 7-3 this season, but has since won just once and lost three times in seven starts.

Hudson took a 9-5 loss to Toronto in his most recent start on June 28, allowing seven hits and six runs in five innings while his earned run average rose from 2.96 to 3.31.

For the Astros, veteran right-hander Brian Moehler looks to make it four straight starts without a loss.

The 36-year-old, a 1993 draft pick of the Detroit Tigers, was touched for seven hits and seven runs in a 9-6 loss to Milwaukee on June 12, but has since allowed just 18 hits and three runs in 18 1/3 innings over three outings.

He gave up six hits and a run in Houston's 2-1 loss to Baltimore on June 18, defeated Texas with 6 1/3 innings of five-hit, one-run ball on June 24 and allowed seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings of the Astros' 3-2 win against Boston on June 29.

Moehler is 1-4 with a save in 12 lifetime appearances against the Braves - five starts - surrendering 40 hits and 22 earned runs in 38 2/3 innings.

On Thursday in Houston, Chad Billingsley tossed eight strong innings and James Loney went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs batted in and two runs scored as the Los Angeles Dodgers topped the Astros, 5-2, in the finale of a four-game series at Minute Maid Park.

J.R. Towles had a two-run double for the Astros, losers of three straight after a three-game win streak. Mark Loretta and Carlos Lee each went 2-for-4, while Brandon Backe (5-9) allowed all five runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 frames to take the loss.

In Atlanta, Cole Hamels was brilliant on the mound, as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the Braves, 4-1, to complete another three-game sweep.

The 24-year-old Hamels (9-5) gave up one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks in 8 2/3 innings for Philadelphia, which has won seven straight against the Braves. The Phillies have also won their last six games in Atlanta, the longest streak since a six-game stretch from August 20-24, 1976.

Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens (8-4) allowed four runs on eight hits in seven innings, while walking one and fanning six.

Brian McCann doubled in the Braves only run with two away in the bottom of the ninth. Yunel Escobar, Gregor Blanco and Chipper Jones also doubled for Atlanta, which has dropped five in a row.

This is the first series of the season between these teams.