ATLANTA (AP) -- Rookie Williams Perez allowed only four hits in seven innings, Kelly Johnson returned from the disabled list with three hits and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 4-1 on Wednesday night.
Johnson had an RBI single in the second inning in his return after missing 24 games with a strained right oblique. Cameron Maybin drove in a run with two of Atlanta's 14 hits.
The only run allowed by Perez (2-0) was unearned. Making his fifth start, he matched his longest outing start while striking out five and walking two. He has allowed no more than one earned run in four of his five starts.
 
Perez throws 7 strong innings as Braves top Padres 4-1
 
Cory Spangenberg had three hits, including two doubles. His fifth-inning double drove in the Padres' run.
Jim Johnson pitched a perfect ninth inning for his third save. Closer Jason Grilli was rested after pitching two straight days.
Former Braves outfielder Melvin Upton Jr., making his first start since coming off the disabled list Monday, was 0 for 4. He was robbed of a hit in the third on Johnson's diving catch in left field.
Johnson's second-inning single off Tyson Ross (3-6) drove in Nick Markakis, who slapped a single to left field to lead off the inning. A.J. Pierzynski, who had an infield hit, scored on Andrelton Simmons' single later in the inning.
Freddie Freeman hit into a double play with no outs and the bases loaded for a 3-0 lead in the third.
Ross allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks in six innings.
Before the game, the Padres optioned second baseman Jedd Gyorko to Triple-A El Paso and recalled right-hander Nick Vincent. Gyorko was hitting .210 with two homers and 11 RBIs and lost his starting job to Spangenberg.
Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn sat near the Braves' dugout.
 

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