SOUTH BEND – The South Bend Cubs lost 5-4 to the Great Lakes Loons Monday evening despite six extra-base hits and a 3-0 lead after two innings.

South Bend took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after Cubs third baseman Zack Short hit a line drive home run over the South Bend Cubs home run porch in left-center field.

The Cubs then added two more runs in the second inning off a RBI-triple by centerfielder D.J. Wilson who then scored on a balk by Loons pitcher Jordan Sheffield to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.

The Loons scored their first run in the top of the third inning off an odd inside the park home run when Saige Jenco hit a triple to deep right center field and scored after Yeiler Peguero’s throw sailed out of play.

Great Lakes plated another run in the top of the fourth inning when the Cubs defense opted to turn a bases loaded double play around the horn instead of trying to cut the runner down at the plate, which allowed the Loons to cut the deficit to just one run.

Luis Paz then connected on a 1-0 pitch and hit a mammoth home run to right-center field to add two more runs to their total to take 4-3 lead.

South Bend had a chance to score in the bottom the fifth inning but failed to capitalize on the opportunity, stranding a runner at third. The Cubs also had a chance to tie the game in the sixth inning but outfielder Chris Pieters did not slide and was thrown out at the plate while trying to score on a ground ball to second base.

Cubs first baseman Wladimir Galindo scored in the bottom of the eighth on a two out Yeiler Peguero double, but Peguero was thrown out at third trying to stretch his double into a triple to end the inning and become the last of South Bend’s scoring opportunities.

Overall, the Cubs’ inability to make the most of their scoring opportunities led to their downfall. On the night, the Cubs went 2-12 with runners in scoring position.

Tomorrow night’s contest against the Loons is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Four Winds Field with starter Duncan Robinson set to take the mound for the South Bend Cubs. Robinson is 1-1 on the season and currently holds a 1.08 ERA.