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Villanueva makes Cubs debut versus Braves

Apr 6, 2013 - 2:07 PM (Sports Network) - Carlos Villanueva makes his debut in a Chicago Cubs uniform Saturday when they resume a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves.

Villanueva, who came to terms on a two-year contract in January, spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching to a 7-7 record with a 4.16 ERA in 38 games (16 starts) in 2012.

Over 301 career appearances, including 56 starts, for the Brewers and Blue Jays, the right-hander is 33-35 with a 4.26 earned run average and six saves.

Villanueva is 1-2 with a 7.20 ERA in 10 career games (1 start) when facing the Braves.

Julio Teheran, one of Atlanta's top prospects, counters on the mound. The 22- year-old right-hander pitched in two games (1 start) last year for the Braves. This will be just his fifth major league start.

Teheran had an impressive spring training when he posted a 1.04 ERA in six starts.

Justin Upton continued his impressive start to the season last night by smacking his third homer in a 4-1 win. He cracked a solo shot and finished with a pair of RBI.

Upton's brother, B.J., is still hitless on the year after going 0-for-3 and striking out two more times. He's now 0-for-14 on the campaign with nine strikeouts.

Craig Kimbrel worked a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his second save of the year, while Mike Minor (1-0) fanned seven and surrendered a run on five hits over 7 1/3 innings to pick up the win.

"I had the confidence going into this season that I was going to attack the hitters like I did last year and throw more breaking balls and I didn't throw any two-seamers tonight," Minor said. "It's kind of a work in process. I work at in the bullpen and then kind of bring it (two seamers) out if I need to."

Scott Feldman (0-1) made his first start for Chicago, but was charged with four runs on five hits and four walks over 4 2/3 frames. He went 39-44 with a 4.81 ERA over eight seasons with the Texas Rangers before signing a one-year deal with the Cubs during the offseason.

"I had a little trouble with my command tonight and I got into some deep counts and they made me throw a lot of pitches. That's a tough lineup there," Feldman said.

The Cubs won four of seven games against Atlanta last season.