Cade Povich’s first major league start was good. But on Wednesday, in his first home start and second overall, he gave the Orioles everything they could have asked for.

He pitched six innings, allowing just five hits while striking out six and walking none in the Orioles’ 4-2 win over the Braves at Camden Yards. And he did it in front of his family in town and with former Nebraska teammate Spencer Schwellenbach starting for the opposing team.

“It was awesome,” Povich said. “The only other time I’ve been here was in the stands or seeing the field and not being able to go on it because there was still snow on it. To have this crowd, and to go up against Schwellenbach and have some of our college coaches and training staff and family here as well, was really special.”

With the Orioles in a stretch of one day off in June and dealing with injuries, two of which are season ending, to three of their starters, they called up Povich on Thursday to make his MLB debut in Toronto. He allowed six runs in 5 1/3 innings but pitched better than his line read, most of the damage coming off just one misplaced cutter to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

He impressed, more so though, with his composure and his willingness to learn.

“He came into that start in Toronto prepared,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “It wasn’t just a one-sided conversation. He actually did some homework before he faced them. That shows a lot about who he is and how important this is to him and the professionalism.”

He fit right in, Hyde said, so much so that they decided to give him another start. He spent the time between starts picking the brains of the other pitchers and learning more about the major leagues.

He was still nervous — but he actually was able to eat on his start day — and this time he pitched just as his final line read. He kept the Braves hitless through the first two innings, his one flub coming when he hit Matt Olson with a pitch.

Povich allowed a single to Michael Harris II in the third, then back-to-back hits to Marcell Ozuna and Olson to open the fourth. He got himself out of the bind, getting the next three batters out to end the inning. He again ran into trouble in the sixth, but, with two runners on and two outs, got Austin Riley to pop out.

Six shutout innings were behind Povich. He exited to a standing ovation, the home crowd honoring the newest member of the rotation.

“No walks for Cade Povich. That’s something we talked a lot [about] with him at the end of spring,” Hyde said. “Command and how important commanding your fastball [is] here and being able to land off-speed in fastball counts for strikes, and he did all of that tonight. The curveball was really good; the cutter was good; he had life to his fastball. Just threw a ton of strikes and did an unbelievable job.”

It’s unknown if — or when — Povich will start again. The Orioles could use a fresh reliever, especially with Danny Coulombe, their jack of all trades, going on the injured list Tuesday. They could option Povich and still keep their starters on extra rest — they finally get an off day Monday, which would allow them to just push back the other five a day.

It would be hard, though, to deny Povich another outing after how he performed on Wednesday. He got help from Gunnar Henderson, who made a Gold Glove-worthy play to end the top of third inning. In the bottom of the third, after Cedric Mullins doubled and Jorge Mateo singled, Henderson grounded out to send in a run. A batter later, Adley Rutschman drove in Mateo to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead.

They held on to that lead until the top of the eighth, when Keegan Akin, filling a spot that normally would have been Coulombe’s, gave up a two-run homer to Olson to tie the game. Colton Cowser, who entered as a defensive replacement, gave the lead right back to the Orioles, responding with a two-run homer that landed just over the center field wall.

“I thought he [Braves centerfielder Harris] robbed it at first, but I’m really glad it went over,” Cowser said.

The Orioles (45-22) are on pace to win 108 games. They’ve won 16 of their last 20 games, including six in a row.

“They’ve got a good blend,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “They put a guy in for defense, and he hits a two-run homer. I mean, they’re really, really good. They’re strong. That’s one of the best lineups you’re gonna see, and they all defend, they’re all athletic. That’s a very impressive team.”