ATLANTA - Atlanta rookie Mike Foltynewicz had command of his pitches, and that gave him the edge he needed to top Jimmy Nelson and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Foltynewicz threw three-hit ball for 7 2-3 innings, leading the Braves over Nelson and the Brewers 2-1 Sunday.
Foltynewicz (3-1) allowed one run in his longest start in the majors. He struck out seven with only one walk.
"He was dominant, really, the whole game," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It was a nice start to build on."
Nelson (2-5) couldn't overcome five walks, including two in the Braves' two-run sixth.
"Terrible," Nelson said. "My command was bad and I didn't make pitches when I needed to."
Jason Grilli struck out three in the ninth for his 13th save.
Nelson matched Foltynewicz through five scoreless innings but couldn't keep pace in the sixth, when the Bravesscored two runs on two walks and two hits, including Andrelton Simmons' RBI single.
Foltynewicz kept his pitch count down early, throwing only 52 through five innings.
"We just couldn't get anything going against him," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "He's got a good fastball and we were having quick at-bats. He was just good."
The three hits and one run allowed were career lows for Foltynewicz, who said, "I've felt better in previous starts."
The Braves (22-21) won three of four in the series to move over .500 for the first time since April 27.
The 23-year-old Foltynewicz was one of three players acquired by Atlanta in the offseason trade that sent Evan Gattis to Houston. He was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on May 1. He lowered his ERA from 5.32 to 4.25.
Nelson, who grew up in Florida rooting for the Braves, faced Atlanta for the first time.
It was scoreless in the sixth when Cameron Maybin singled for a nine-game hitting streak. After Nelson made a wild pickoff throw, he walked Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis to load the bases.
One out later, A.J. Pierzynski hit a liner that was dropped by second baseman Hector Gomez, who recovered to throw out Markakis at second base as Maybin scored.