Bibens-Dirkx Shuts Down Richmond in 8-2 Win

Austin Bibens-Dirkx worked seven innings for his fifth win and Jorge Flores had three hits and two RBI as the Fisher Cats opened a homestand with an 8-2 win over Western Divison-leading Richmond on Tuesday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Bibens-Dirkx (5-2) allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out six. Dustin Antolin and Richard Bleier each worked a scoreless frame in relief.

Richmond (68-54) struck for a run in the top of the first inning. Skyler Stromsmoe led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a couple of groundouts to make it 1-0.

New Hampshire (59-63) rallied to take the the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Flores and Jon Berti singled and Kevin Nolan and Mesa followed with walks to tie the game. Andy Burns added a sacrifice fly and K. C. Hobson reached on an error allowing two more runs to score.

The Fisher Cats extended the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning to 5-1. Michael Crouse and Flores put together back-to-back doubles for the run.

Richmond's Devin Harris led off the top of the fifth with a solo home run off winning pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx.

Mesa homered for New Hampshire in the bottom of the seventh inning, his fourth of the season for the Fisher Cats for a 6-2 lead. Flores picked up his third hit, an RBI single, in the bottom of the eighth driving in Yusuf Carter, who had walked. Kevin Nolan added an RBI single, plating Crouse, who had walked for the game's final run.

Adalberto Mejia (3.2 IP- 5 H- 5 R) took the loss for Richmond. He falls to 5-8.

The Fisher Cats and Flying Squirrels meet again on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free Fuzzy Hair Hat, courtesy 12 when the Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF Giants Double-A) visit Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Tickets are available by visiting www.nhfishercats.com, stopping by the Fisher Cats ticket office, or by calling (603) 641-2005.

RHP P. J. Walters (1-0, 2.70) is expected to start for New Hampshire against Richmond RHP Chris Stratton (0-1, 4.50). Coverage with Tom Gauthier and Dick Lutsk begins at 6:45 p.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network