Cubs 9, Reds 7: Starlin Castro recorded three hits and two RBIs and Brett Jackson hit his first career home run as visiting Chicago held off Cincinnati to earn a doubleheader split.

Bryan LaHair added a pair of RBIs and Anthony Rizzo drove in a run and scored two for the Cubs, who won for only the fourth time in the last 18 games. Their eight runs marked the team’s highest total since July 30.

Reds right-hander Todd Redmond (0-1) was called up to make his major league debut and stranded seven runners over the first three innings before Chicago managed to break through with a three-run fourth. Rizzo gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead with an RBI single and Castro doubled in run before Redmond was lifted.

LaHair’s RBI fielder’s choice capped the fourth and closed the book on Redmond, who was charged with four runs on seven hits while walking five in 3 1/3 innings.

The Cubs added a run in the fifth and made it an 8-2 lead with a three-run sixth before Cincinnati began to claw its way back into the game.

Todd Frazier and Scott Rolen each drove in a run in the sixth and Ryan Ludwick’s second homer of the contest - a two-run shot - cut it to 8-6 in the seventh. Miguel Cairo tripled in a run in the eighth but was stranded, leaving the Reds a run down.

David DeJesus provided some insurance with a pinch-hit solo homer in the top of the ninth and Carlos Marmol locked up his 15th save..

Brooks Raley (1-2) allowed four runs (three earned) in 5 1/3 innings to earn his first career win.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Reds won the opener 5-3 behind eight strong innings from Johnny Cueto. … Ludwick has 25 home runs on the season and four in his last three starts. … Redmond was the first pitcher to start a game for Cincinnati this season besides Cueto, Homer Bailey, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Mat Latos. … Castro reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $60 million contract extension. … Jackson’s second-inning solo blast gave him a four-game hitting streak. The rookie also struck out three times to extend his streak of multiple-strikeout games to five.