Bibens-Dirkx Shines, But Fisher Cats Fall 5-1
April 9, 2013 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Austin Bibens-Dirkx turned in another strong outing for the Fisher Cats (3-3) on Tuesday night, but his team couldn't muster enough offense and made too many mistakes in the field in a 5-1 loss to the Trenton Thunder (3-2). The defeat evens the series at one game each as the teams now prep for the morning finale on Wednesday at 10:35 a.m.
Bibens-Dirkx (1-1) had just one tough inning on the night as the right-hander allowed a pair of runs in the top of the second. He had a chance to get out of the frame with no damage, but a John Tolisano error on a potential double play ball set up Casey Stevenson to deliver the first two Trenton runs with a single to center field.
Bibens-Dirkx pitched seven total innings, surrendering only one earned run (two total). He allowed six hits, struck out three, and walked a pair, needing just 32 pitches over his final three frames. He is now 1-1 on the season with a 0.69 ERA having allowed just one earned over 13.0 innings.
Caleb Cotham (1-0) earned the win for the Thunder in his Double-A debut. Like Bibens-Dirkx, his lone struggle came in the second inning when a two-out single from John Tolisano plated Nashua's Kevin Nolan to make the score 2-1, Trenton, at the time.
The Thunder pulled away with a pair of runs in the eighth and a solo run in the ninth. Both rallies were helped along by a Fisher Cats error. Trenton's Jeremy Bleich and Tommy Kahnle combined for four scoreless innings to seal the game for the Thunder.
Tolisano led the offense with two hits, a run batted in, and a walk. Brad Glenn had two hits while Nolan and Kenny Wilson each reached on a walk and a single.
The series comes to an end on Wednesday morning at 10:35 a.m. at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The game is Manchester Public Schools day with Youk's Kids, the foundation of former Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis, and E&R Cleaners providing tickets for thousands of Manchester public school children.
The pitching match-up features New Hampshire righty Marcus Walden (0-1, 4.15) against Trenton southpaw Nik Turley (0-0, 13.50). Fans can listen to the game with Tom Gauthier and Bob Lipman beginning at 10:15 a.m. on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and www.nhfishercats.com.
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