South Bend scored a run in the ninth and had the tying run at first base when Dayton retired Yeiler Peguero to end the game.
Cubs starter Jose Paulino was knocked out of the game in the third inning after allowing five runs. Over two and two-thirds innings, Paulino gave up six runs.
But South Bend was able to battle back to give themselves a chance to win the game.
South Bend picked up two runs in the fourth on Luis Ayala’s two-RBI triple scoring Vimael Machin and Kevonte Mitchell.
Vimael Machin got South Bend to within 6-5 in the fifth when he hit a three-run home run. It was Machin’s second home run of the year.
After Dayton took an 8-5 lead, the Cubs got two runs back in the sixth on a two-RBI hit by Wladimir Galindo.
The loss drops South Bend two games behind the wildcard leading Dragons with 17 games to go in the Midwest League’s first half.
South Bend is at Dayton once again tonight at 7:00pm(ET) on 961fm WSBT.
