QUINCY -- The Quincy Gems were tied 2-2 after four innings but mustered just three hits the rest of the game Saturday night as they lost 5-2 to the Danville Dans in a Prospect League game at QU Stadium.
The Gems (19-21 overall), the first-half champions in the West Division, are 1-8 in the second half. They have lost five in a row and trail the Springfield Sliders (24-14) by 6 1/2 games in the West.
The Gems took the lead in the first inning when Trey Mathis singled in Mitch Carriger with two outs. Danville tied the score in the bottom of the second.
Quincy scored again in the fourth when Joey Polak doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Dean Nevarez. Danville tied the score again in the bottom of the fourth.
Danville then took the lead for good in the fifth with three runs against Gems starter Colan Borchers.
Quincy had chances to come back in each of the last three innings.
The best chance to rally came in the seventh against Dans reliever Matt Hamons. Michael Nielsen walked with two outs, and Chandler Purcell singled. Mitch Carriger then walked on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases, and Tyler Spring was called on to replace Hamons.
Deion Thompson then struck out to end the threat.
Quincy also had two runners on in the eighth, but Houston Looser grounded out to end the inning.
Nielsen led off the ninth with a single, and Purcell followed with a walk. However, Carriger popped out, Thompson hit into a fielder's choice and Polak grounded out to end the game.
Alex Ruxlow pitched three innings of scoreless relief for the Gems, allowing one hit and one run.