DAYTON – South Bend starting pitcher Justin Steele and three relievers combined on a four-hit shutout as the Cubs defeated the Dayton Dragons 2-0 on Wednesday night. The Cubs won two-of-three games in the series at Fifth Third Field.

South Bend plated single runs in the first and ninth innings to account for the only runs of the game. South Bend pitchers combined to keep the Dragons hitless in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position on the night.

Eloy Jimenez brought in South Bend’s first run with a groundout in the first, plating Andrew Ely. Jesse Hodges drove in a run with a single in the ninth.

The Dragons left runners at third base in four of the first six innings but could not get the big hit. Their best chance to score came in the sixth when Shed Long led off with a double and went to third on James Vasquez’s ground out to second. But South Bend reliever Kyle Miller struck out Brantley Bell and then got Shane Mardirosian on a hard grounder to first to end the inning.

Dragons starting pitcher Jose Lopez (3-4) pitched effectively but was charged with the loss. He worked six innings, allowing one run on six hits with no walks and a season-high eight strikeouts.

Ed Charlton led the Dragons offensively, going 2 for 3 with a single, triple, and walk. Charlton had an excellent series, going 5-9 with a home run and three extra base hits.

South Bend (19-12) continue its road trip with a series in Lansing, starting up Thursday.