Major League Baseball

Foltynewicz pitches into 8th, Braves beat Brewers 2-1

Published May. 24, 2015 4:37 p.m. ET

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ATLANTA (AP) 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 Braves scored 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.

Simmons' single chased Nelson.

PAINFUL TWO-HIT DAY

Brewers star Carlos Gomez, who was hit in the helmet by a fastball last Sunday, had a rough afternoon.

While standing on deck in the sixth, he was hit and knocked down by Gerardo Parra's foul ball. Gomez appeared to be struck in his hip or side, and lost his helmet when he hit the ground. Gomez bounced up, waved his arms at Parra in mock indignation and pointed toward the field as if to say ''Hit it that way!''

Gomez then was hit by a pitch on his right hand from Foltynewicz to open the seventh. He slowly walked to first base after being checked by a trainer. After advancing to third on a single by Khris Davis, Gomez scored on Elian Herrera's sacrifice fly.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers: RHP Wily Peralta is not a lock to make his next start on Wednesday against the Giants after leaving Friday night's win after four innings due to tightness in his left side. Counsell, who seemed more optimistic on Saturday, said Sunday ''It's not a sure thing yet.'' Peralta threw in the outfield before the game. ... Asked if C Jonathan Lucroy (broken left big toe) will need special protection when he returns, Counsell said ''Whatever's comfortable. I don't think that will affect his Olympic speed.''

Braves: 3B Chris Johnson (broken left hand) said he felt ''awesome'' after taking batting practice. He will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday and could come off the 15-day DL later in the week.

UP NEXT

Brewers: RHP Kyle Lohse, who gave up seven runs in 5 2-3 innings in his only start against San Francisco last season, will face the Giants in the opening game of a three-day series on Monday.

Braves: The Braves open a 10-game road trip when RHP Williams Perez faces Dodgers LHP Brett Anderson. The trip also will take the Braves to San Francisco and Arizona.