Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Atlanta's Kris Medlen was flawless on Friday.

Philadelphia's Cliff Lee slipped up just once.

Chris Johnson's go-ahead solo homer in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted the Braves to a 1-0 win over the Phillies in the opener of a three-game set.

Lee (14-8) struck out 13 and surrendered just two hits over seven innings before Johnson led off the eighth and smacked a towering shot that reached the front row of seats in left-center.

Craig Kimbrel fanned two in a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his 50th save of the year.

Medlen (15-12), who didn't yield a hit until there were two outs in the fifth when Cesar Hernandez reached base on an infield single down the third base line, allowed two hits and two walks over eight shutout frames. He struck out seven.

The Braves are one-half game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals, who are currently playing the Chicago Cubs, for the best record in the National League.