By Fred Mitchell, Chicago Tribune –
CINCINNATI — The nightcap of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader was a game of several individual firsts for the Cubs, who hung on for a 9-7 victory over the Reds and a split in front of 41,236 at Great American Ball Park.
Cubs starter Brooks Raley (1-2) was credited with his first big league victory. And center fielder Brett Jackson slugged his first major league home run. Raley also recorded his first career hit in the second inning.
The Cubs nearly squandered an 8-2 lead going into the bottom of the fifth. The Reds climbed to within 8-7 in the eighth, but the Cubs got a solo homer from David DeJesus in the top of the ninth.
Starlin Castro rapped a single, double and triple for the Cubs, who lost the first game of the doubleheader, 5-3.
Reds leftfielder Ryan Ludwick hit two home runs to give him 25 for the season. Todd Redmond (0-1) made his major league debut for the Reds and lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. He walked five and struck out two.
Carlos Marmol was credited with his 15th save.
