Braves rough up Cubs, 11-6

Chris Johnson homered twice and pitcher Mike Minor hit his second career home run, leading the Atlanta Braves over the Chicago Cubs 11-6 on Saturday.

Johnson and Justin Upton each drove in four runs for the Braves. Johnson and Minor homered and Upton hit a three-run double as Atlanta scored six times in the fourth inning for a 9-3 lead.

Minor (3-5) allowed six runs and 11 hits in six innings. He improved to 6-0 in his career against the Cubs.

The Braves won for the second time in seven games.

Chris Coghlan hit two doubles and drove in three runs for the Cubs, who have lost seven of nine.

Edwin Jackson (5-10) lasted just 3 2-3 innings after giving nine runs, seven hits and three home runs.

Upton and Justin Heyward had RBI singles in the ninth for Atlanta. David Carpenter pitched two innings for his third save.

The Cubs scored three runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 9-6. One run scored on a passed ball before Coghlan hit a two-run double.

Johnson's second homer of the day and fifth of the season was a two-run shot and made it 5-3 in the fourth. Johnson's third career multihomer game was his first since 2012.

Minor padded the lead with a solo shot. His other home run came in 2013 against the New York Mets. After Jackson departed with the bases loaded and two out, Upton doubled off Carlos Villanueva.

The Cubs went ahead 1-0 in the first on Justin Ruggiano's RBI single. He delivered the winning single in the ninth inning of Friday's series opener.

NOTES: Arismendy Alcantara played his first major league game in center field. After the Cubs called him up Wednesday, he played three games at second base. He played 11 games in center field at Triple-A Iowa this season. "Like anything, he's a young man also just starting that position," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "We're hoping it fares well and his athleticism and his ability to move around and play the game allows him the opportunity to be OK out there." ... Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he was undecided about the order of his rotation after the All-Star break. He said Minor and Alex Wood would be staggered. "It depends on what happens in the next two days, who's healthy and if somebody needs a few extra days," Gonzalez said. ... Braves C Evan Gattis (bulging disk) was scheduled to take part in light drills and batting practice at the Single-A facility in Rome, Georgia, for the second straight day. While encouraged, Gonzalez said no timetable had been set for his return from the disabled list.