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Braves pitcher Bryse Wilson, 20, gets win in MLB debut

PITTSBURGH -- The Atlanta Braves promoted another 20-year-old from the minors, calling up right-hander Bryse Wilson to start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Braves purchased Wilson's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett before Monday night's game. Wilson struck out five over five scoreless innings to earn the win as Atlanta notched a 1-0 victory.

Five relievers finished the seven-hitter, which increased the Braves' NL East lead to one game over idle Philadelphia while ending the team's four-game skid.

Braves manager Brian Snitker liked what he saw from the young rookie.

"I was impressed by everything about him," Snitker said. "He kind of carried himself like I expected. He has a lot of confidence from everything I've heard about him and what little I've known him. That's his makeup."

While Snitker was impressed, Wilson said he's a bit surprised he made it to the majors so soon.

"I thought I would move up one step at a time," Wilson said. "I never expected this."

Wilson became the third 20-year-old pitcher to start in his big league debut for Atlanta this season. Mike Soroka was 20 when he started May 1 against the Mets at New York, and Kolby Allard did so July 31 against Miami.

The last team to use three starters before they reached their 21st birthday in a season was the 1965 Kansas City Athletics with Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter, Don Buschhorn and Ron Tompkins.

Braves rookie Ronald Acuna Jr., who is also 20, was chosen as the NL Player of the Week on Monday after going 13-for-28 (.464) with four home runs in eight games.

Wilson began the season at Class A Florida and went a combined 8-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 23 starts in the minor leagues. He was the Braves' fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft.

Veteran infielder Ryan Flaherty was designated for assignment to open a roster spot for Wilson. Flaherty hit .222 with two home runs in 76 games.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.