Brewers 2, Dodgers 1: Michael Fiers pitched seven strong innings to win his first career start and National League Most Valuable Player Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer as visiting Milwaukee won its second straight over Los Angeles.

Fiers (1-0), whose previous major league experience came in two scoreless relief appearances last September, yielded one run, five hits and struck out three Tuesday. His only blemish was a two-out RBI double to Andre Ethier in the sixth inning.

Los Angeles' Nate Eovaldi (0-1), who is replacing Ted Lilly in the rotation, made his 2012 debut. He allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings and retired 12 straight batters before walking Braun with two outs in the sixth inning.

Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect eighth inning and John Axford pitched the ninth for his ninth save in 10 chances, but not without drama. He allowed a leadoff double to Matt Kemp and hit Ethier. After Jerry Hairston failed to sacrifice them to second and third and grounded into a double play, Axford got James Loney to ground out.

Braun hit Eovaldi's first offering over the right field wall with one out in the first inning after Nyjer Morgan singled.

Kemp returned after missing 14 games with a hamstring injury and went 1-for-4.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Milwaukee catcher Martin Maldonado, who was called up after Jonathan Lucroy was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken hand, recorded his first major league hit, a single in the second inning. ... Maldonado and Fiers became the first battery in Brewers history to make their first major league starts together. ... Lilly was placed on the 15-day DL on Monday with left shoulder inflammation. ... Eovaldi was 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 10 appearances (six starts) with the Dodgers in 2011. ... Milwaukee has won eight of the last 11 meetings. ... The Dodgers were 9-5 with Kemp on the DL. ... Los Angeles lost two straight at home for only the second time this season. ... Ethier leads the NL with 43 RBIs.