SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Quincy Gems led 3-2 after 2 1/2 innings but did not score again Thursday night in a 4-3 loss to the Springfield Sliders in a Prospect League game at Robin Roberts Field.

The Gems, 19-19 overall, have lost three straight games and are 1-6 in the West Division's second-half standings. Springfield, 22-14, is 5-1 in the second half and in first place in the West with DuPage.

Springfield's Victor Garcia hit a two-run homer off Gems starter Cam Sanders in the first inning. 

Dean Nevarez led off the third inning with his second home run of the season. Michael Nielsen then walked, and he moved to third on Chandler Purcell's double. Mitch Carriger then hit a two-run single to score Nielsen and Purcell.

The Gems had three hits after the third inning and six in the contest. 

The Sliders took the lead in the seventh inning when Cale Hennemann's RBI single scored Garcia.

Sanders allowed three runs on five hits and five walks in five innings of work. Reliever Scott Gorsuch took the loss, allowing one run in three innings.

Joey Polak and Chandler Purcell each had two hits for the Gems.