Butler's comeback on Sunday was big. A comeback on Monday? That was too tall an order.

The BlueSox fell behind Chillicothe (Ohio) 8-1 in the fifth inning, made a late run with three runs in the sixth and eighth innings, but fell short in a 10-7 Prospect League loss to the Paints at Pullman Park.

Butler (4-6) had trailed 4-0 in Sunday's game against Richmond (Ind.) and came back for an 8-6 triumph.

"The biggest thing in these games is you're usually up big or down big," said BlueSox manager Jason Wuerfel. "You can't panic. You take quality at-bats, quality swings, and take one batter at a time.

"When we fell behind (8-1), I said 'No panic, no pressure. We have to get on base, one hit, then string some hits together,'" he added.

That was looking to be a difficult task as Paints starter Rex Ingham settled down after a tough first inning. He allowed leadoff singles to Brian Billigen and Sean Gusrang before Zach Noonan followed with a sacrifice fly.

After that, Ingham didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning, at which time the Paints enjoyed their 8-1 advantage.

"We keep talking about quality at-bats," said Paints manager Brian Mannino. "I think we've done a good job getting counts, hitting the ball. We've been pretty consistent."

Chillicothe (7-4) tied the game in the second inning on an RBI single by Kyle Gendron, then added three more in the fourth, including RBI hits by Eian Banks and Tim Krofcheck, all off Butler starter John Navage.

The Paints added a pair of runs in the fifth inning, thanks to back-to-back run-scoring singles by Cory Maguire and Banks, then a two-run double by Andrew Marshall in the sixth inning.

Chillicothe's Eric Hymel hit a leadoff single in the sixth inning, then, one out later, Gusrang and Noonan had consecutive RBI doubles. Two batters later, an error allowed a third run to score to make it an 8-4 contest.

An RBI single in the seventh by Kyle Galbraith and a sacrifice fly RBI by Marshall in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, built the Paints' lead to 10-4 before Butler pulled to within three with a three-spot in the home half of the eighth.

Noonan had a one-out RBI single, then Ryan McChesney belted a home run over the right-field fence before reliever Mark Williams got Jack Healey to line out and Frank Esposito to strike out.

Both teams would get one runner on base in the ninth inning, but neither team plated another run.

Despite the setback, Wuerfel is happy his team's bats are coming around. The BlueSox have scored 23 runs in the past three contests.

"Hats off to my guys," said Wuerfel. "The guys did a good job battling back.

"There are still 44 games left so I'm still encouraged. ... They are not going to call off the season after tonight. We will still grind it out."

Notes: Former Butler High and major league pitcher Matt Clement will throw out the first pitch before today's home game. ... With a single and walk in his first two plate appearances, Brian Billigen had reached base safely seven consecutive times (five hits, two walks).

Dupage 4, Slippery Rock 3 13 inningsSlippery Rock starter Cory Mazzoni, a Seneca Valley High graduate, received a no-decision after striking out nine and walking one in seven innings, giving up one run on eight hits Monday night at Critchfield Park.Butler High product Josh Marchinoski shouldered the defeat after pitching four innings and giving up the one run on two hits. He struck out two and walked one.The top four batters in the Sliders' lineup combined for nine hits, led by Nick Spisak's two singles and double.

Chillicothe 010 322 110 — 10 16 2Butler 100 003 030 — 7 9 2W: Rex Ingham (5Z\c IP) 4 K, 1 BB.

L: John Navage (5Z\c IP) 6 K, 1 BB.

Chillicothe (7-4): Kyle Galbraith 1B, RBI; Ben Allen 2-1B; Andy Brouse 1B, 3B; Andrew Marshall 2B, 3 RBI; Cory Maguire 4-1B, RBI; Eian Banks 2-1B, 2 RBI; Kyle Gendron 1B, RBI; Kris McDonough 1B; Tim Krofcheck 2-1B, RBI

Butler (4-6): Brian Billigen 1B; Sean Gusrang 1B, 2B, RBI; Zach Noonan 1B, 2B, 3 RBI; Ryan McChesney HR, 2 RBI; Brett Zerlene 1B; Aaron Ordy 1B; Eric Hymel 1B

Today: Dupage at Butler, 6:35 p.m.