Ryan Braun hit his third homer of the season and starter Shaun Marcum threw six strong innings Thursday as Milwaukee beat Atlanta 4-2 at Miller Park.

Braun hit a two-run homer off Atlanta starter Tommy Hanson in the first inning to pace the Brewers, who won the last three games of the four-game series with the Braves. Braun later added another hit and raised his batting average to .391.

Marcum (1-1) allowed five hits, two runs and two walks in his second start of the season. He struck out four and was hurt only by a two-out single by Atlanta’s Martin Prado that tied the game in the second.

John Axford pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save.

The Brewers went ahead to stay in the bottom of the second when Nyjer Morgan doubled, stole third and scored on a fielder’s choice. Milwaukee added an insurance run in the seventh inning on Prince Fielder’s infield out.

Hanson (0-2) pitched better than he did in his first start, but still allowed three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.