South Bend scored four runs in the top of the first inning, knocking Dayton starter Gabriel Aguilera out of the game.
Dayton scored in the third on Jorge’s two-out, run-scoring ground rule double to make it 4-1, but the Cubs responded with two runs in the fourth to build their lead to 6-1.
The Dragons added a run in the fourth when Logan Tanner doubled and scored on a two-out single by Victor Acosta.
The Dragons scored three in the sixth to cut their deficit to 6-5. Jay Allen II walked and advanced to third on Tanner’s single. Allen scored when Ethan O’Donnell grounded into a double play. With two outs, Acosta walked and Cade Hunter singled to center to move Acosta to third. Sal Stewart followed with a two-run double to right-center to make it 6-5.
The Dragons tied the game in the eighth. O’Donnell reached on a bunt single and Acosta was hit by a pitch to move O’Donnell to second. After a double steal, O’Donnell scored on wild pitch to make it 6-6.
In the bottom of the ninth, Jorge doubled off the right field wall to begin the inning. The next batter, Balcazar, looped a single to center. Jorge beat the throw to the plate to give the Dragons their fourth walk-off win of the year.
The victory went to John Murphy (3-0), who pitched a perfect top of the ninth. But the Dragons bullpen trio of Joseph Menefee, Arij Fransen, and Murphy combined to go 8 1/3 innings. The only two runs allowed by the relievers came against Menefee in the fourth.
The Dragons finished with nine hits. Jorge and Tanner each had two.
Dayton (13-7) entered play Sunday with a 2 1/2-game lead over West Michigan for a second half playoff spot.
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