SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Hudson realized he was putting some Atlanta Braves fans in an awkward position Friday night. So the veteran right-hander did his best to make their late-night television viewing worthwhile.

Pitching three time zones away from where some of his most loyal supporters were rooting for him, Hudson beat the Braves for the first time in his career, outdueling young right-hander Mike Foltynewicz in the San Francisco Giants' 4-2 victory.

Catcher Buster Posey drove in three runs with a home run and a double, providing all the offense Hudson and two relievers would need to pitch the Giants into first place in the National League West with a sixth consecutive home win.

"We get a lot of support," Hudson said in sharing the spotlight of his 217th career win with his teammates. "Our defense is so good, you take it for granted. And our offense always seems to score just enough runs."

Hudson, a nine-year employee of the Braves from 2005-13, allowed one run on five hits in seven innings in his second-ever start against Atlanta. The 39-year-old has now beaten 29 of the 30 major league teams -- all but the club that initially drafted him in 1997, the Oakland Athletics.

"Those guys over there, I have a lot of respect for them," Hudson said of the Braves. "There's a little bit of bittersweetness, but it does feel nice to get the win."

The 39-year-old, who found time to visit many of his former teammates during the first two days of the Braves' visit, also acknowledged getting more than your average number of well wishes from admirers in his native Atlanta.

"Most of my people back home are still Braves fans," Hudson said. "But not tonight. It was probably a little strange for them."

Center fielder Cameron Maybin drove in the Braves' lone run off Hudson in the third inning, snapping a string of 39 consecutive scoreless innings at home for the Giants' staff. The streak equaled the all-time franchise record, set originally as New York Giants in 1948.

Hudson (3-4), who was roughed up for eight runs in 3 2/3 innings in his previous start at Colorado, struck out four and did not walk a batter. His 217 career wins are tops among active pitchers.

It was a different Hudson than he'd seen in April, Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez acknowledged.

"I was watching some video from earlier this year. That sinker was up," Gonzalez said. "Today he had his sinker going. That sinker was pretty darn good."

Right-hander Hunter Strickland pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning in relief of Hudson, and closer Santiago Casilla recorded his 15th save despite giving up a solo home run to Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman in the ninth.

Atlanta took advantage of two Casilla walks to put the potential tying runs on base with two outs in the ninth, but left fielder Todd Cunningham grounded out to second base to end it.

The Giants' 15th win in their last 17 games, coupled with the Los Angeles Dodgers' 3-0 loss at St. Louis, allowed the defending World Series champions to claim sole possession of first place in the NL West for the first time this season. San Francisco leads the division by a half-game.

The victory improved the Giants' record in May to 21-7, giving them their first 21-win month since September of 1965.

Foltynewicz (3-2), making just his third career start, matched Hudson nearly pitch-for-pitch. He went 6 2/3 innings, limiting the Giants to just three additional hits after giving up second baseman Joe Panik's one-out single and Posey's two-out homer to left field in the first.

The 23-year-old walked one and struck out eight, his fifth consecutive start with seven or more strikeouts. It's the second-longest active streak in the majors.

For the second night in a row, the Giants broke the game open in the eighth inning against the Atlanta bullpen. This time, they picked on rig