In his first major league start, Bennett allowed one run in 5 2-3 innings against his former team, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night.

Milwaukee, trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982, slipped to 1 1/2 games behind the NL Central-leading Cubs, who were idle. The Brewers have nine games left, one fewer than Chicago.

The Braves also have nine games left, and they closed to 4 1/2 games of the East lead when the New York Mets lost to the Florida 8-7 in 10 innings. Several players and coaches hung around the clubhouse to cheer on the Marlins.

“We still have a chance to make the playoffs. This was real important,” Bennett said. “I’ve been on several teams in the minors that put on a run at the end of the season and did well. With as much pop as we have in our lineup, you can’t count us out.”