Mudcats start second half of the season with a loss

Published in Sports on June 19, 2007 1:47 PM

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Alberto Concepcion drove in a season-high six runs to lead Jacksonville past Carolina 12-5 at the Baseball Grounds in the Southern League second-half opener on Monday night.

Carolina (28-43 overall, 0-1) grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to run-scoring singles by Lee Mitchell and Brett Hayes. However, Mudcats spot-starter Jesus Silva (0-2) allowed a first-inning run, then seven in the second as Jacksonville pushed ahead 8-3.

The Mudcats scored twice in the fifth to close the gap to 8-5 on RBI from Chase Lambin and Ryan Bear, but Concepcion homered with a man aboard in the sixth against reliever Jimmy Serrano for an 11-5 lead.

Jacksonville (42-29) scored an unearned run in the eighth.

Silva permitted 12 hits and 10 runs in his third Carolina start this season. He entered the game after being promoted from High-A Jupiter where he was 4-1 with a 1.56 ERA.

The loss was the Mudcats 10th straight on the road, matching their longest in team history.

The teams continue their six-game series today.