Jhoulys Chacin threw seven strong innings and helped the host Milwaukee Brewers come away with a 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series between two division-leading teams.

Chacin, a former Brave, allowed two runs in the first inning but settled down and did not permit another run. The outing matched his longest of the season, and he allowed three hits and one walk. Chacin (7-3) equaled his season high with seven strikeouts while recording his first win since June 13.

The Brewers' offense was led by third baseman Hernan Perez, who had three of the team's seven hits, including a triple and his fifth homer of the season. He scored twice and drove in two runs.

The win improved Milwaukee's record to 52-35, marking the first time the Brewers have been 17 games over .500 since July 1, 2014. The Brewers have won four consecutive games.

The NL Central-leading Brewers scored once in the first inning on Jesus Aguilar's sacrifice fly and three times in the second on an RBI single from Tyler Saladino, an infield grounder from Erik Kratz and a wild pitch by Atlanta starter Max Fried. Saladino had been activated from the disabled list on Thursday after missing 30 games with a left ankle sprain.

Milwaukee's Dan Jennings worked the final two innings of scoreless relief to earn his first save. He did not allow a baserunner and struck out two.

Fried (1-3) was not as sharp as he had been in his last start against St. Louis, when he threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He lasted only three innings against Milwaukee and allowed four runs on four hits and three walks, with just one strikeout.

The Brewers put the game away with three runs in the eighth against reliever Dan Winkler. Christian Yelich had a run-scoring double and Perez hit a long, two-run homer, the first home run Winkler has allowed this season.

Atlanta scored both its runs in the first. Ozzie Albies tripled home Ender Inciarte and then scored on Freddie Freeman's infield grounder. It was the league-leading 48th extra-base hit for Albies.

Braves third baseman Johan Camargo went 0-for-3 and saw his 10-game hitting streak end.

--Field Level Media