By Mike Monaco

SOUTH BEND — Twelve hits only produced one run for South Bend, and Dayton struck in the top of the 10th for the tie-breaking tally, as the Dragons won 2-1 on Thursday night at Four Winds Field to complete the series sweep.

South Bend (27-37) limited Dayton (37-30) to one hit in the first nine innings, but the Cubs stranded 10 runners of their own to necessitate extra innings. Then in the 10th, the Dragons broke out for three hits, including the decisive RBI infield single from center fielder Brian O’Grady.

The Cubs couldn’t capitalize on a leadoff single in the bottom of the 10th and have now lost eight of their last nine games.

South Bend starter Jake Stinnett allowed just one hit in a career-best six innings. The right-hander struck out four and did not allow an earned run. Stinnett, a second-round pick this past summer out of the University of Maryland, dealt first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 24 batters he faced. Stinnett only surrendered an infield single that resulted in a low, bouncing throw to first base in the six innings.

Cubs first baseman Yasiel Balaguert (3-for-5, three singles), designated hitter Gioskar Amaya (2-for-2, two singles) and catcher Cael Brockmeyer (3-for-5, three singles) spearheaded the offensive effort.

Dayton scored in the first inning after two South Bend errors and a sacrifice fly.

The Cubs collected five hits through five innings, but Dayton starter Seth Varner stranded four, including runners at the corners in the fourth inning. South Bend loaded the bases with one out in the sixth inning, but Dragons reliever Mike Sullivan induced an inning-ending double play.

The Cubs finally broke through on their eighth and ninth hits. South Bend second baseman David Bote yanked a one-out double into the left-field corner in the seventh, and left fielder Charcer Burks followed two batters later with an RBI double to right-center field to knot the game, 1-1.

South Bend right-handed reliever David Garner delivered two no-hit innings in relief with three strikeouts. Fellow righty James Farris struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth.

South Bend center fielder Rashad Crawford ripped a one-out single and stole second in the bottom of the ninth. The Cubs, however, came up empty against Dragons reliever Jake Ehret and couldn’t crack him in the 10th, either.

South Bend welcomes West Michigan to Four Winds Field on Friday at 7:35 p.m. ET. Cubs right-hander Jeremy Null (2.01 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Whitecaps righty Fernando Perez (3.74 ERA).