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Hudson takes mound against Pirates

Jul 13, 2007 - 2:09 PM Pittsburgh (40-48) at Atlanta (47-42) 7:35 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Tim Hudson gets the start as the Atlanta Braves look to keep rolling when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.

The Braves, who had All-Star John Smoltz moved to the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation on July 3, have won four their last five games entering the break.

Hudson (8-5, 3.54 ERA) has not lost in his previous three starts. The 31-year-old righthander has posted a 2-0 record with a 4.24 ERA and 17 strikeouts in that span.

Hudson did not receive a decision in Atlanta's 8-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 5 after surrendering six runs and 10 hits over just three innings.

Braves center fielder Andruw Jones, who had a miserable first three months, is showing signs of snapping out of his lengthy slump. The nine-time Gold Glove winner has gone 7-for-18 with two home runs and seven RBI in his previous five games.

The Pirates will turn to Ian Snell (7-5, 2.93), who has lost just once in his last six outings.

Snell pitched eight innings, giving up three runs and nine hits with five strikeouts in a 5-3 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers on July 4.

Pittsburgh had won five out of its last six games prior to the All-Star break.