On the Mike has been on a hiatus here in Tri-City - lotsa of stories, but minimal time - due to the lack of internet capabilities (no internet at the press box, no internet during the day at the hotel (hence the 4 a.m. posting).

We will have some video from the final day in Spokane, video of the hotel room here in Kennewick, along with some news on the newest members of the Hawks when we get home.  Plus, our best-of segments - including place to call a game, best hotels, best fans, best stadium.

With their 4-2 loss tonight to the Spokane Indians, the Hawks have been officially eliminated from the postseason race - even though HAM Insider, Mike Sharp probably thinks that both Boise and his Mets still have a chance (even though Tri-City's magic number is zero).

We will have more on our final day in Spokane later tonight (including another Best Of and a look at a sold out Avista Stadium), but instead of focusing on the negatives, let's look at something completely different - Hawks Alumni.

The following document has a list of all former Hawks that are currently playing professional baseball - from the major leagues, the minor leagues, and independent ball.  AlumniReport8-27-09.doc

Let's get a win to close out this series!!!

It's time for the year in review segments - the Best of the Northwest League, since we have now visited each of the cities in the loop.

PRE-GAME MEAL: The pregame meal is one of the more important things for a broadcaster - since we have to eat earlier than most folks in the press box (especially me, since we have a one hour pregame show).  Food around the league is good, but the food at County Stadium in Yakima stands out.  Maybe it is the staff at their BBQ pit and the fact that they take chances with me (a 1/4 hot dog with a philly-beef sandwich crammed in it, or a chicken bacon ranch sandwich with a drink mixture of lemonade and root beer).  Whatever it is, it definitely is at the top of the bunch.  Just behind Yakima is Spokane, who has my healthy kick - the Teriyaki Chicken bowl, although their BBQ chicken sandwich is also very good.  I would also have to put the food in Boise in the Top-3 - although after 32 home dates, Pizza and Chicken Wraps do get old.

My Rankings - 1. Yakima (absolutely love the Philly-Beef, the Chicken Strips, the 14-inch hot dogs, and the best fries in the league); 2. Spokane (teriyaki chicken at the ballpark is a must); 3. Boise (upgraded pizza this year is fabulous, cheeseburgers and fries are nice, as are the sno-cones); 4. Eugene (nothing like potato salad, peanuts, and Hometown Heroes...only place we got corn dogs in the booth); 5. Vancouver (chicken strips and fries are good, loved the popcorn in the booth); 6. Everett (although we weren't there, I like the hot dogs and Tall Tom's popcorn in the big bowl); 7. Tri-City (they tried to wow me with a pulled pork sandwich, but had trouble with the flat diet coke in the jug); 8. Salem-Keizer (once again, flat soda and either a small hamburger or hot dog - wish they would have had something from their Healthy Hut, which looked goot).

BEST MASCOT: I guess I really liked my time in Yakima - as once again, the No. 1 spot goes to the Bears mascot, Boomer.  Maybe it is because Boomer is involved in everything that goes on at the park...greeting fans coming in, involved in all promotions, involved in all of their marketing, or just the fact that my son connected so well with "Boo-Boo" that Boomer had to at the top.  The silver medal goes to the tandem of Dusty the Dust Devil and Erik the Peanut Guy in Tri-City - especially after the club got a new Dusty outfit which looks good.  Erik steals the show, handling all of the on-field promotions while handling his peanut duties.  Humphrey has to be in the Top-3 as well - with Rex on the field doing a great job this year.  Humphrey loses points, however, for walking in front of the radio booths on numerous occasions, making it tough for me to call play-by-play (luckily, I have the Fiberpipe stream, which the visitor booth doesn't have).

My Rankings - 1. Yakima (Boomer is phenomenal and is the face of the franchise); 2. Tri-City (Dusty is easy to spot anywhere at the stadium, with Erik doing the promotions from the stands); 3. Boise (Humphrey is the best-looking mascot, with special points for the Great Potato Race); 4. Spokane (Otto the Spokaneasaurus looks good, but didn't do much during the game - Jamie the On Field MC is one of the best around); 5. Vancouver (Bob Brown Bear didn't do much, but the C's get kudos for the Great Sushi Race); 6. Everett (tandem of Webbly the Frog and Frank the Hot Dog - again, have never really connected with them); 7. Salem-Keizer (Crater is just scary to me - also didn't really seem to do much around the stadium); 8. Eugene (No mascot and not many on-field promotions)

STREAKS CONTINUE: Tonight was a tough game for the Hawks, managing just four hits in a 7-1 loss to Spokane.  However, the four players with the longest hitting streaks on the team each recorded one hit - with Logan Watkins' eighth inning single extending his streak to 17.  Bobby Wagner pushed his hit streak to 12 with a double and scored Boise's lone run, Hak-Ju Lee slapped a single to extend his streak to a season-high nine games, with Greg Rohan's single in the second pushing his streak to eight games.

POSSIBLE BULLPEN TROUBLE LOOMING: With only 13 active pitchers on the roster (since two pitchers have left during the trip), David Rosario will be hoping for quick innings the next couple nights.  Jon Nagel is able to only throw three innings tomorrow, with the Hawks needing Yohan Gonzalez to toss three innings of relief - if it doesn't happen, trouble could loom ahead, as Andres Quezada, Danny Keefe, and Trey McNutt unavailable, with Corey Martin and Josh Lansford most likely not slated to pitch until Friday at the earliest (due to work earlier in the series).  That would leave Ryan Sontag and Dionis Nunez to finish things up - with Friday still seeing Quezada, Keefe, and McNutt not available, leaving Martin and Lansford to try and finish Chris Rusin's start.

ANOTHER SLUMP BUSTER?: We tried everything tonight to break the slump - I shaved my head and my goatee, leaving only a mustache (which Jon Nagel was envious of), with Gary Van Tol hitting infield/outfield prior to the game.  We need some ideas for breaking the slump, with Tri-City's magic number just 2 to eliminate the Hawks (I though having pitchers take BP)?

With the Spokane Indians drawing more fans than any other Northwest League franchise again this year, the throngs of fans are entertained each night by one of the more unique mascots in the NWL - Otto (pictured left, courtesy of the Spokane Indians), the Spokaneasaurus.  Yes, a Spokaneasaurus - the one and only Spokaneasaurus in the world.  Otto is very animated throughout the game and keeps the crowd entertained, along with one of the loudest on-field promoters in the league - Jaime has a great voice.

GOTTA LOVE THE HOTEL: There was a time when the NWL teams stayed in downtown Spokane, which gave the players and staff a chance to explore Riverfront Park, the site of the 1974 World's Fair.  However, in 2005, the team moved out to Spokane Valley, east of the ballpark to the Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center - one of the top digs in the league.  Not only are the rooms spacius, but dining options for the players are close to the hotel - including Hooters, Sharis, Subway, McDonalds, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Panda Express, along with local eateries.

SPEAKING OF FOOD: The Indians staff has really been kind to the Hawks staff and to me each day - as the coaches have received an array of food after the game - hot dogs with peppers and onions, big cheeseburgers, and chicken sandwiches, while I have had my staple of the Spokane summer, a teriyaki chicken bowl (picutred left) - one of my favorite dishes in the league and one of the healthiest.  However, for everyone to get to and from the clubhouse, one must take one of the more interesting walks in the entire league.

ROHAN HEATS UP, HIT STREAKS CONTINUE: Although the pennant chances for the Hawks took a big hit with the 6-4 loss last night to Spokane, it showcased the Boise bats.  Greg Rohan had his second-straight two-double night and has recorded four RBI in the last two games.  Bobby Wagner has at least one RBI in four-straight games and extended his hit streak to 11 with a first inning single, while Logan Watkins had his third double in two games, extending his hit streak to 16 - a season high.

WHITLOCK BACK TO PEORIA: Following the game last night, the Chicago Cubs promoted right-hander Josh Whitlock to the Peoria Chiefs for his second stint in the Midwest League this season.  Whitlock, who got off to a rocky start this season with the Hawks, had an outstadning last month of the year, allowing just two earned runs in 16 innings of work during August.

Usually this blog is very light - talking about how the Hawks won or loss, the fun the team is having on the road, the food we get and how good or bad it is.  That part of the blog will come later - but I need to be serious for a moment.

One of the truly good guys to come through Boise over the years, Darin Downs, needs all of the prayer and support of Hawks fans.  Downsy pitched for the Hawks as a second-year pro in 2004, helping the team to the NWL pennant, winning Game 1 of the Championship Series, and went on to pitch part of 2005 and 2006 with the club.  After spending 2007 in Daytona and part of 2008 in Tennessee, he was released by the Cubs - only to be picked up by Tampa Bay, where he went 12-4 with their High-A affiliate in Port Charlotte, Fla.  Just a week ago, he was promoted to AA Montgomery.

In just his second start at the AA level last Monday, a line drive by a Birmingham player hit Downs on the side of his head - fracturing his skull.  He was in the ICU at St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham through the weekend - and according to news reports, he is slowly making a recovery.  After seeing the video of Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers sustain a similar face, it just puts a pit in my stomach to know this could happen to Downsy.  I'd ask that you send an email to Montgomery's broadcaster, Jon Laaser at jlaaser@biscuitsbaseball.com and he should be able to get the note to Darin, his fiancee, and his family.  Lets all hope for a speedy recovery for the lefty!

A NIGHT TO FORGET: Riding high after 12 wins in 16 games and jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, everything was pointing toward another Hawks win, however, Spokane had other ideas - rapping out a season-high 18 hits in a 14-5 wholloping of Boise.  Tommy Mendonca, the stud third-baseman out of Fresno State had four RBI, including a mammoth home run off of Robert Hernandez in the first inning.  The Hawks were their own worst enemy, leaving runners in scoring position in seven of the nine innings tonight.

IN RARE COMPANY: Logan Watkins is joining baseball's elite this summer, extending his hit streak to 15 games with two doubles - his second 15-game hit streak of the year.  What is astounding is that he is the only player at the short-season level to accomplish the feat, and one of only four players in all of Minor League Baseball to accomplish it (including current Cubs outfielder Jake Fox and Iowa Cubs outfielder Brad Snyder).  Bobby Wagner had a homer and two RBI in the game, extending his hit streak to ten games.

THE GROTTO: I always thought that the Hawks should move the Hawks Nest out near the scoreboard and make it an eating area where you could get a home run ball.  Spokane has done that with their right field pavilion, the Grotto (pictured right).  Fans can sit at picnic benches, kids can play in a kids area, and it is right on top of the action - as the view is outstanding.  As you can see in the picture, where "The Black Book" sign is, will be the Indians version of the Hawks Nest, a full restaurant with views of the field - lowering the wall to just six feet, making it even more of a home run hitters paradise.

Typical minor league day for the Hawks - wake-up call at 8, on the bus by 9, arrive in (blank) at 1, head to the park at 3, play a game, win, head back to hotel.

The details in between were definitely good, as Boise moved to 3-1 on the road trip with a 4-3 win over Spokane.

After jumping out to a 4-1 lead, thanks to nine hits in the first three innings, the Hawks turned the game over to the pen - especially Corey Martin (pictured left).  The kid from Western Carolina was outstanding, allowing just one walk and one hit in three innings, stranding the tying run at third in the seventh and at second in the eighth, then working a 1-2-3 ninth for the win (I had Martin with the save and Josh Lansford the win, but the official scorer said that Martin was more effective in relief - thus getting the victory). 

Hit streaks continued - Logan Watkins adding two more hits, his streak to 14-straight games, the sixth longest hit streak in the league this year (his 15-game streak in July was the fifth longest), while Bobby Wagner added two hits, pushing his to nine games.  The play of the night to help the win was a stellar defensive play by George Matheus (listen to the call matheusGem.wma), who made a long, side-arm throw from deep in the hole at short to get the first out of the ninth inning.

SPOKANE THROWS OUT THE WELCOME MAT: Always known as the gem of the Northwest League, the Spokane Indians once again outdid themselves as an organization on the opening day of the series at Avista Stadium (pictured left) - not only having a fully stocked refrigerator in the coaches office, but also feeding the team after the game - something that the fellas truly appreciated.  From my standpoint, they also took great care of me - getting me one of my favorite meals in the league teriyaki chicken and vegetables for dinner. 

THE LONG WALK TO THE BOOTH: The opening day at Avista is always a long haul for any visiting broadcaster, as you must degociate three different flights of stairs to get to the booth, situated high atop the ballpark (pictured right).  (To see the last set of stairs and your first video look at the park, click here).  The vantage point is the best in the league - and the crowd tonight was outstanding (4,915), the second largest crowd the Hawks have played in front of during the 2009 season.

THE BACON: With the win last night, the Hawks have won 12 of their last 16 games, pulling themselves within two games of .500 with 14 games left in the season - the closest they have been to .500 since June 21...Boise will lose a pitcher tomorrow, as Su-Min Jung will leave for Korea - as Eduardo Figueroa will take his place in the rotation, starting Tuesday night.

Check Yakima of the lists of cities for the Boise Hawks, as the club used a big sixth inning two-out rally to stop Yakima, 10-3, before the largest crowd in County Stadium history.

The day started with a team lift at the local YMCA, which saw me run for 40 minutes while watching the World Track and Field Championships - boy are they fast.  Following the workout, the fellas were in the gym playing a game of bump - they wanted Hak-Ju Lee to play (calling him Yao), but he chose not to.  Matt Williams won the imprompto game - although I was most impressed by Corey Martin's jumper, and the skills of Ryan Sontag and Eduardo Figueroa.

With a weekend pregame show, I was able to get on the field and take a final 360-degree look at County Stadium for you in Boise.

The game was a fun one, the Hawks jumping out to a quick lead, giving it up, then erupting with two outs in the sixth, getting a bases-loaded walk, a wild pitch to score a run, a two-run Bobby Wagner, and an RBI single from Richard Jones to push a lead to 8-2.

Jae-Hoon Ha had three hits, Wagner drove in three, while Logan Watkins not only extended his hit streak to 13, but had a pair of unassisted double plays - including one to end the game on a wierd infield fly rule call.

NO-NO: Tonight also marked the first no-hitter in the Northwest League since 2007 and the first nine-inning no-hitter since 2002, as Salem-Keizer blanked Everett, 8-0.  The Hawks have never thrown a no-hitter, but have been on the short end of a perfect game against Tri-City in 2001.

CHECKIN OUT: The team will check out of the hotel in Yakima at 9 a.m. tomorrow, heading 200 miles east to Spokane to open a six-game series with the Indians.  The Hawks head into the series 2-1 on the road trip, having won four series' in a row, and once again three games below .500, sitting six games behind Tri-City in the East.

Fans, here is a ten-spot of Hawk Talk Interviews that I have conducted with players from mid-July to mid-August that were named Ram Tough Player of the Game the previous night.  Each of the interviews is roughly 2-to-3 minutes in length and discuss their role in the previous night's game and a bit about their baseball journey.

Justin Bour - from July 26 bourHT.wma

 Runey Davis - from August 14  davisHT.wma

D.J. Fitzgerald - from July 29  fitzgeraldHT.wma

Brett Jackson - from July 17  jacksonHT.wma

Richard Jones - from August 12  jonesHT.wma

Josh Lansford - from July 22  lansfordHT.wma

Corey Martin - from July 25  martinHT.wma

Trey McNutt - from August 21  mcnuttHT.wma

 Logan Watkins (interview #2) - from August 17  watkinsHT2.wma

 Josh Whitlock (interview #2) - from August 18 whitlockHT2.wma

Talk about a tough way for the Hawks to go down to defeat - battling back after being no-hit through five innings, taking a lead in the 10th, but watching the bullpen, which has been so good over the last month of the year, blow a two-run lead in a 4-3 loss to Yakima.

Was is more disheartening is the Hawks squandered a chance to pull two games under .500 and pull five games behind first-place Tri-City.  Robert Whitenack (pictured left) did his job, recording his best performance of the season, going six innings of three-hit ball, allowing just one run and one walk.

Boise tied it in the sixth on a two-out RBI single by Logan Watkins, extending his hit streak to 12, then took the lead in the 10th on a D.J. Fitzgerald RBI groundout an a Matt Williams RBI single.  But it didn't last long, as Dionis Nunez gave up a double, sandwiched around a pair of walks, and Ryan Sontag didn't fare much better, allowing a run on a walk, a ground out, and the winner on an RBI single.

LET'S TALK COUNTY STADIUM: The ball park in Yakima is one of the more unique experiences in the Northwest League - starting with the behemoth of a hot dog (pictured right), which reminds me of the old "Real Men of Genius" Bud Light commercials about the creation of the foot-long hot dog - with the Yakima dog measuring 14 inches of John Morrell beef frank.  The staff (pictured below) at the barbeque pit at County Stadium has been amazing over the years - always taking great care of the visiting broadcasters (especially me) and also took great care of my family when they came to town the last time through

FROM THE FIELD:  The dimensions of the park are quirky - although we'll see more strange ones in Spokane later in the trip.  During batting practice today, I walked into the left-field corner to give you a birds eye few of the corner (with the 293 foot foul poul), and nearly got picked off by a Jose Guevara liner.  What you will also notice is the sloping field in right (look closely and the bottom of the wall and how the signs stay straight, but the blue portion of the wall grows, and grows and grows.

AUDIO CLIPS COMING: Tomorrow, we will post the ten latest Hawk Talk interviews with the players - ranging from mid-July to mid-August.

A six-hour bus ride and 105 degree temperatures welcomed the Boise Hawks on the annual Western Idaho Fair trek through the Northwest League, as the Boys of Summer opened their exodus in Yakima tonight.  A potent offensive attack and a summer lightning storm (pictured left) proved to be the highlights in a 9-3 Hawks victory.

The win propels the team to a 28-31 record, the first time since June 22 that the Hawks have been three games under .500, with Boise sitting six games back of Tri-City in the standings with 17 games left.  The Hawks have now won ten of their last 13 games.

Boise had a season-high seven doubles, part of a 16 hit attack in the win.  Jae-Hoon Ha had a pair of two-run doubles, while both Jose Valdez and Hak-Ju Lee recorded three hit games.  The star, however, was on the mound, as Trey McNutt tossed three and two-thirds innings of shutout ball, allowing just one hit and striking out two.

FLASHES IN THE HILLS: Starting in about the sixth inning, a huge electrical storm gathered on top of the Yakima Ridge - about 15-20 miles east of County Stadium - in plain view over the outfield wall.  Although the Valley was in no danger to the storm, it was a spectical for all - and possibly the highlight for Bears fans.  What was nice was the wind from the storms helped cool down the muggy night.

LOVIN THE HOTEL: For the second time in less that two weeks, I have set up shop at the Best Western Ahtanum Inn in Yakima (my room pictured to the right).  Although many of the hotels in the league are newer - they do not have the charm and personality of this mom-and-pop hotel.  The people are really friendly from the front desk staff to the cleaning staff, the room is tidely and clean, and as my son enjoyed the last trip through, they have a great courtyard and pool for everyone to use.

BEST OF COMING UP: Just as I talked about on Hawk Talk tonight, we will be starting a "Best of the NWL" segment on the blog in the days to come.  Best Stadium, Best Mascot, Best Food, Best Hotel, Best Press Box...but is there anything from the road that you want Best Of?  Respond to the blog or email me at boisehawks@yahoo.com and we can try and answer your request.

What a great game, a great crowd, and great atmosphere to end a nine-day, eight-game homestand!!!  A 1-0 victory by the Hawks, a super-sellout of nearly 3,900 fans, and a festive environment on a Wednesday night that will probably leave members of the Boise media scratching their heads as to "3,900 on a mid-week...what are they doing out there?"

It started on the mound tonight - as Robert Hernandez tossed six shutout innings for the second time in three starts, working out of a bases loaded jam in the first...and seemed to get better as the night progressed.  The best job, however, was by reliever Eduardo Figueroa (pictured left), who danced around a first-and-third, no outs situation in the seventh, coaxing a pop up and back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat.  Dionis Nunez was Dionis Nunez, slamming the door in the ninth for his team-leading fifth save in five opportunities.

Offense was at a premium, with the lone run of the game coming in the sixth.  As Jose Valdez, seeing his first action in nearly a week, reaching on an infield single, moving to third on a Hak-Ju Lee single and subsequent fielding error, and scoring on a Logan Watkins fielders choice.  One run was enough tonight.

TULLIS WAS OUTSTANDING: The hype surrounding the return of Timberline star Braden Tullis lived up to the hype, as the Rangers 8th Round draft pick allowed just four hits in six innings of work, striking out five - but took the loss thanks to the unearned run.  He was in command the entire night, keeping the Hawks off-balanced with a good fastball and an even better change-up - especially to left-handed hitters.  The last time a local kid returned to Boise was Glenns Ferry native, and current Detroit Tiger farmhand (AAA Toledo) Zach Simons.

CRANK UP THE BUS, HAL: The Interwest bus will get worked overtime in the next two weeks, as we leave tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. sharp on a 12-day exodus through Eastern Washington.  First stop is Yakima, where temperatures are expected Thursday around 105 degrees...after three days in Wine Country, the Hawks head to Spokane for six days, over to Tri-City for three, returning home - in September.

THE BACON: Watkins extended his hitting streak to ten games with a first inning single...the Hawks turned four double plays in their seven-hit shutout, including three double plays started by Justin Bour...the major league record for first-baseman starting a double play in a game is three, however, no record for such a feat is in the NWL Recordbook - except for a first-baseman being involved in six double plays in one game.

COMING UP: Along with the sites and sounds of the road trip, we will be having a year in review on the road - ranking the top cities, food, mascots, etc....if there is something you would like us to rank from the road this year, feel free to leave a comment.

The Spokane Indians and the Boise Hawks will either become really good friends or bitter enemies over the next three weeks, as the clubs meet 12 times in an 18 day stretch.  If the first two games of the season series are any indication, it should be some interesting baseball.

Last night, the Hawks worked around 13 hits by the Tribe - stranding 11 runners, in a 5-1 win.  Boise took advantage of four Spokane errors to take a 2-1 lead in the fifth, then added three runs in the seven to put the game away.  Josh Whitlock (pictured left) was solid in relief, tossing four shutout innings, allowing just three hits and striking out a season-high five.

Tonight, the tables were turned, as the Indians got a pair of clutch hits in the fifth inning and got a solid performance by Matt Thompson in a 6-1 win.  The Hawks had only one runner past second base - that coming on D.J. Fitzgerald's second home run of the season.

THE BACON: Logan Watkins, who was named Northwest League Player of the Week on Monday, had a pair of hits last night and added a bloop single tonight, extending his hitting streak to nine games and currently is second in the league in batting average...Hak-Ju Lee had two stolen bases on Monday, adding another last night - becoming the first NWL player to the 20 stolen base mark...Ryan Sontag retired the lone left-handed batter he faced in relief - with lefties now 0-for-25 against him this season.

IMPRESSIVE: I have been really impressed by Spokane third-baseman Tommy Mendonca (pictured right) out of Fresno State...the Rangers second-round pick this year was the 2008 College World Series MVP and the 2009 WAC Player of the Year...it isn't his bat (he hit 27 HR in college this spring and has seven with the Indians this summer) that has been most impressive, it has been his defense - he has made two or three big-league plays and has a cannon for an arm.

DINGED UP: Outfielder Jose Valdez has been out of the line-up for nearly a week after injuring his hand sliding into second base during the Everett series...he did take infield-outfield practice yesterday...Josh Lansford was knocked out of yesterday's game by a line-drive in the eighth inning, which struck his left foot...he is day-to-day.

LOCAL KID TOMORROW: Spokane will send former Timberline High pitcher, Braden Tullis to the mound tomorrow night in the rubber game of the series...a large THS contingent is expected at the park.

A game that saw its share of miscues and a great job by both team's pitching staff, the Hawks got a 12th inning rally to defeat the Everett Aquasox, 4-3, in the longest game of the 2009 season.

After losing the first four games to the Frogs in Everett - and leading in three of the games heading into the late innings, the Hawks have rallied, winning 5-of-6 from their West Division rivals, and have now won seven of their last nine games - moving back within five games of the .500 mark.

George Matheus (pictured above) provided the heroics, lining the first pitch he saw from Brad Reid down the right field line, scoring Logan Watkins from second base.  It marked the fifth walk-off winner at home for the Hawks this season and the second in three nights.  Boise improved to 4-0 this season in extra inning games - all at home.

Watkins (pictured right) had four hits in the victory - his third game with four or more hits this season, while relievers Yohan Gonzalez, Corey Martin, Dionis Nunez, and Andres Quezada combined to throw six shutout innings of relief.

TRUE AFTER PARTY: For the second time this season, the Applebee's on Glenwood and State hosted a Boise Hawks get-together following a game, and for the second time this season, the preceding game went extra innings.  Tonight's game was three hours and fifty minutes - forcing Applebee's to stay open much longer than their scheduled midnight closing.

OFF DAY AT HOME: It isn't often that the Hawks get an off-day, as only three are scheduled throughout the course of a season.  But it is even rarer that they get to spend an off-day at home in the midst of a homestand.  While the rest of the league plays tomorrow night, the Hawks and Spokane will enjoy a Sunday - whether it be fishing, floating the river, or sleeping, it will be a nice respite.  I will be enjoying a barbeque with my family at former Voice of the Hawks, Dave Hahn's family's home.

WHO ARE THESE GUYS: It is the 15th of August and the Hawks have yet to play divisional rival, Spokane this season.  However, the two teams will get to know each other quickly, playing all 12 of their seasonal match-ups within an 18-day spread - including a six-game series at Avista Stadium during the middle portion of the Western Idaho Fair roadtrip.

THE BACON: The banged up outfield for the Hawks continues to shuffle, as D.J. Fitzgerald returned to the line-up, while Jae-Hoon Ha saw action as a DH...Fitzgerald was hampered by an ankle injury, while Ha had been sidelined with muscle soreness...Greg Rohan had the day off after leaving last night's game after being hit in the elbow...Jose Valdez is still recovering from a hand injury sustained on Wednesday night...Richard Jones made his debut in left field, cleanly fielding one chance.

ALUMNI REPORT: Former Hawks Chris Sigfried and David Cales were among four pitchers used by the Daytona Cubs in a no-hitter tonight agianst the Dunedin Blue Jays at Jackie Robinson Park...Sigfried tossed a perfect fifth inning, with Cales getting the final three outs in the D-Cubs first no-hitter since Kerry Wood in 1996...2002 Hawks alum Felix Pie (pictured right) became the seventh major leaguer this season to hit for the cycle, going 4-for-5 in the Orioles 16-6 victory over the Angels on Friday night...Pie completed the cycle with a triple in the ninth inning and following the game, got not one, but two shaving cream pies in the face (ala Brett Jackson).

An outstanding performance by Su-Min Jung and Trey McNutt on the mound was quickly forgotten by the sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium after the benches cleared in the 8th inning of an 8-2 Boise Hawks win over the Everett Aquasox.

Jung allowed just one hit in four innings of work, helped by a trio of double plays behind him, with McNutt not allowing a hit in his three innings of shutout relief.

The Hawks broke open a 1-0 game in the fourth with a bases-loaded walk by Hak-Ju Lee and a two-run infield single from Logan Watkins.  However, after a Lee bunt-base hit in the eighth that resulted in a throwing error and two runs to score to push the Boise lead to 7-0, Frogs reliever Kyle Brown buzzed Watkins with a pair of pitches - with plate umpire Javier Cantu ejecting the lefty.  Following an exchange with Cantu, Everett skipper John Tamargo got into a war of words with Hawks manager Casey Kopitzke near the third-base bag - with the benches and bullpens quickly emptying.  Although there was some short-range shouting, nothing more than a war of words were exchanged.

In talking with multiple sources, Tamargo was still upset of the rash of hit by pitches in the series - starting with his slugger Gerardo Avila, who was injured Tuesday by a 90-mile per hour fastball in the batting helmet from Jon Nagel.  Two Everett and two Boise batters were also plunked tonight.  He was also displeased with the bunt by Lee, especially since it was a 5-0 game in the eighth inning.

Longtime Voice of the Hawks called it in our recent Hawk Talk interview, "Memorial Stadium Magic" - all of the wild, come-from-behind victories that the Hawks have been able to muster on their home field over the years.

Chalk up the fourth version of MSM this season - thanks to Texan Runey Davis (pictured left).  First this season it was Greg Rohan singling home the winning run in the ninth against Yakima on June 29, George Matheus doing the same in the 10th against Eugene on July 5, and Justin Bour singling home the game-winner in the 11th against Salem-Keizer on July 18.

Last night, the game started with a bang, as shortstop Hak-Ju Lee muscled up for a three-run home run in the second (listen to the radio call LeeHR.wma) to give the Hawks a 4-1 lead.  Unfortunately, the club could not hold the lead, trailing 7-5 in the eighth with two outs.  However a walk and single put the tying runs on, with Bour deadlocking the game at seven with a two-run double (listen to the radio call Bour2Ba.wma).  In the ninth, Bobby Wagner led off with a bad-hop single into right, and was sacrificed to second.  With two outs, Davis took a 2-2 pitch and drove it up the middle for the walk-off winner (listen to the radio call DavisGW.wma).

GORGEOUS NIGHT AT THE PARK: Typically at this time of the year, the temperatures are in the mid-90s at Memorial Stadium, making the first-base bleachers a tough place to sit.  However, game-time temperature at the park tonight was 79-degrees, helping a nice walk-up crowd watch the victory over Everett.  It is supposed to be even cooler tomorrow for Fireworks Friday, mid-70s, which should transfer into a crowd of well-over 3,000.

THE BACON: Davis had a pair of hits tonight, extending his hitting streak to a season-high six games...Richard Jones also added a pair of hits and has hit safely in six of his last seven games, raising his batting average from .159 to .265...the Hawks have hit 14 home runs this year, seventh-best in the league - one ahead of Vancouver, with six of the long balls against Everett...

HELP OUT THE COMMUNITY: The Hawks will be trying to help the less-fortunate this weekend, collecting food items Friday night for the Idaho Food Bank, and collecting school supplies on Saturday night. 

After a long eight-game road trip, a nice crowd of 2,425 fans on a Tuesday night welcomed Boise's Boys of Summer back to the Treasure Valley, and the Hawks did not disappoint, logging 18 hits in a 13-7 victory over the Everett Aquasox.

Leading the charge was catcher Richard Jones (pictured left), who had his best game in a Boise uniform, going 4-for-5 with a double and a key three run home run (listen to the call JonesHR.wma) to help the Hawks to the win.

Other Hawks had big games - as D.J. Fitzgerald (pictured right stealing second) got the club off to a great start launching a long home run in the second inning (listen to the call FitzgeraldHR.wma).  After Everett was able to take the lead in the third, the bullpen was stellar - as Yohan Gonzalez and Andres Quezada put up zeros in the fourth through seventh innings - with the offense coming through.  Hak-Ju Lee had an RBI single in the fourth, then a leadoff triple in the sixth - scoring the go-ahead run on a Logan Watkins fielders choice.  Bobby Wagner had three hits and two RBI, with Greg Rohan extending his hit streak to seven with a three-hit, two RBI game.

PLAYING LONGBALL: Facing the team with the most home runs in the league, the Hawks have done most of their longball damage against the Frogs, smacking six of their 13 homers this season against Everett...tonight marked just the second time this season that Boise had hit two homers in a game...conversely, the Northwest League's HR leader, Gerardo Avila, was knocked from the game by a 90-mile per hour fastball by Jon Nagel off the batting helmet in the second inning...no word on his condition.

THE BACON: Ryan Sontag retired both left-handed hitters he faced in relief, with lefties now 0-for-24 against Sontag in 2009...each of the first eight hitters in the Hawks order had at least one hit, while the No. 9 hitter, Jose Valdez, had two walks and was aboard four times.

COMING UP: Expect a big crowd on Wednesday night for Family Feast Night, coupled with our annual Latino Night.

Dan Taylor did not give the Boise Hawks much of a chance at a three-game sweep and a .500 road trip, as the Central Michigan product scattered just two hits in seven innings, striking out ten, as Yakima rolled to a 5-0 victory in the series finale tonight.

The Hawks managed singles from D.J. Fitzgerald and Logan Watkins - but looked like a team ready to get home after being gone for eight days, as the final 15 men were set down in order - six on first-pitch swings.

Boise did see a pair of good outings on the mound by Josh Lansford and Danny Keefe, who combined to throw 4.1 innings of scoreless relief - as Keefe retired seven of the eight men he faced.

THANK YOU'S TO THE BEARS STAFF: Lotsa thank you's go out to K.L., Mike, and the Yakima staff for a great weekend for me and my family.  Especially to Boomer (pictured right), who befriended little P.J. - who when he woke up this morning at home (we made the trip in just under five hours - don't tell the WSP, OSP, or ISP - but am exhausted right now), he wanted his Boo-Boo. The staff at the Best Western Ahtanum Inn was awesome too - and yes, I found my missing key - which I will return to them next week when we return to the Yakima Valley.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Hawks open up a nine-day, eight-game homestand starting with the Everett Aquasox - a team that had to endure a rain delay, then rain-shortened game against Eugene tonight.  Andres Esquibel, who blanked Boise on three hits last Thursday, will face the Hawks in the series opener.  Saturday will be a fun night, as it is 2009 Baseball Card give-away night - who knows which player may be the next big thing.

From where the team was on Thursday night to today, it is a complete 180-degree turn, as the Hawks used a couple of big innings, capitalizing on three Yakima errors to claim a 9-5 victory over the Bears - their third win in a row.

What is amazing is the fact that if the Hawks can pick up a win tomorrow night, they would head home with a 4-4 record on the road swing - which isn't an easy thing to do in the Northwest League.

Tonight's heroes came in different places - at the plate it was Jose Guevara and Bobby Wagner.  Guevara, who was hitting just .088 before his call-up from Mesa, had a pair of doubles, including a two-run smash in the eighth inning to push the lead to 7-2, while Wagner had a two-run double as part of a four-run fifth, then hit his second home run of the season in the ninth for insurance.  On the mound, Trey McNutt battled some control issues - two walks and two hit by pitches, but pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, followed by Corey Martin, who pitched three scoreless innings, retiring eight-straight batters at one point.

COUNTY STADIUM: The Hawks will make a second trip here to County Stadium (here is a look at the view from the press box) to open up the 12-game swing as the Western Idaho Fair takes over Memorial Stadium.  The park has one of the more impressive grills in the league - from Philly Cheesesteaks, to chicken, to burgers - or the 16-inch hot dogs (pictured to the right) that they sell for a dollar on Friday nights.  Last season, the grill staff made a great concoction for me - 3/4 root beer, 1/4 lemonade (doesn't sound great, until you try it...it is pretty good).

WHAT I DO BEFORE A GAME: With my family in town and an afternoon start, I had some time to kill before the game - so I decided to play with bubbles with my son, PJ, at County Stadium, which was a blast.  PJ had the play of the night, as he retrieved a foul ball off Wagner's bat in the first inning - one more foul ball than his dad has at a game as a fan.  He then spent the rest of the night chasing around the Bears mascot, Boomer (pictured with the Safford boys).

THE BACON: Dionis Nunez allowed three runs in the ninth inning tonight, the first time in eight appearances that the right-hander had allowed a run, dating back to mid-July...Greg Rohan extended his hitting streak to a career-high six games with a single...the Iowa Cubs and Las Vegas 51s played their Road to Wrigley game at Wrigley Field today - with former Boise Hawk Blake Parker picking up the save for the I-Cubs...former Hawk, Brian Dopirak, with the 51s, went 1-for-4...the Hawks have won 7-of-8 from Yakima this season.

The sign as you drive into Yakima tells it all "The Palm Springs of Washington" - abundant golf courses, great weather, tons and tons of fresh fruit stands, and wins for the Boise Hawks.  The Hawks continued their winning ways against the Yakima Bears tonight, claiming a 5-4 victory at County Stadium on Shane Victorino bobblehead night (a 2000 Bear alum).

Josh Whitlock got a spot start tonight and was stellar, retiring the first eight men he faced, then worked out of a two-out jam in the third.  The Hawks built a 4-0 lead in the sixth, thanks to a Greg Rohan two-run single and an RBI triple by Richard Jones - his second triple in as many games.  Boise would take a 5-1 lead into the ninth, but it got interesting, as Gerson Montilla hit a three-run homer around the foul pole in left, to cut the margin to 5-4, but Ryan Sontag struck out Dan Kaczrowski to end the game.

Jose Valdez went 4-for-4 with a walk, with Logan Watkins recording three hits - both responding after a tough series in Everett.  D.J. Fitzgerald doubled and tripled - scoring the eventual winning run in the top of the ninth.

ABOUT YAKI-VEGAS: Another term for the Yakima Valley is Yaki-Vegas, as there are numerous state-owned mini-casinos in town (including the Caribbean Casino close to the hotel that has been frequented by the Hawks over the years), along with the Legends Casino, owned and operated by the Yakama (note the spelling) Tribe.  County Stadium (pictured right) was built in 1993 on the Central Washington State Fairgrounds, next to the old Yakima Meadows horse track and the SunDome.  It has quirky demensions - just 293 down the lines (which helped Montilla's homer tonight), but is very deep in the gaps and 406 feet to center.  Tonight's attendance was 2,047 - about 2/3 full, but if you listened to the broadcast, you would have thought there were 12,047 fans.

THE BACON: Pitching coach David Rosario was in street clothes again tonight, serving the final game of his three-game suspension due to his ejection in Everett...skipper Casey Kopitzke handled all of the conversations on the mound...the Hawks top two hitters - Hak-Ju Lee and Justin Bour were both given the day off...Rohan's two-run single extended his hitting streak to five games a season-high...Valdez had the Hawks fourth four-hit game of the year, joining Brett Jackson, George Matheus, and Watkins (who also had a five-hit game)...Boise has won four-straight against the Bears and are now 6-1 against Yakima this season. 

Some early run support, some quality defense, and outstanding pitching helped the Hawks salvage the final game of their five-game series at Everett, as Boise blanked the Aquasox, 3-0.

Robert Hernandez was the story on the mound, becoming the first Boise pitcher to toss six innings this season, allowing six hits, no walks, and four strikeouts, while Dionis Nunez slammed the door shut, retiring all six men in order to pick up his fourth save.

Greg Rohan provided all of the offense the Hawks needed in the third, launching his third home run of the season to left.  Richard Jones, who had a pair of extra base hits in the win, tripled and scored on a Runey Davis sacrifice fly later in the inning.  The duo would strike again with two outs in the ninth, rapping back to back doubles.

GLAD THEY WERE IN EVERETT: The high temperature in Everett was 66-degrees at Memorial Stadium under cloudy skies - a far cry from the weather in the Treasure Valley, which saw Boise receive nearly and inch and a half of rain over the last 36 hours - with temperatures barely reaching the 60 degree mark - the coldest August high temperature of all time.

TURN BACK THE CLOCK: Former Voice of the Hawks, Rob Simpson, who called Boise games from 1996-2000 and Idaho Steelheads games from 1996-2001, was in Everett and handled some play-by-play duties on KRKO radio with Aquasox play-by-play man, Pat Dillon.  Simpson currently works for the NHL Network and NHL.com and has league meetings over the weekend in Vancouver, B.C.

OFF TO THE PALM SPRINGS OF WASHINGTON: The Hawks will roll into Yakima midday tomorrow, and once they cross the Yakima River - they will pass the sign that reads "The Palm Springs of Washington".  It is an oasis in the middle of a desert - with copious amounts of eating options, yet the smallest market in the Northwest League.

Today was not a banner evening for the Boise Hawks, as for the first time since the 2002 season, the Hawks were on the losing end of a complete game shutout, falling 4-0 to the Everett Aquasox.  Andres Esquibel, a 38th Round Pick last season by the Mariners, got 13 ground ball outs in the victory - allowing just one runner in scoring position, spinning the three-hitter.  It marked the first complete game shutout by a Boise opponent since Pat Misch (who has pitched for both the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets) blanked the Hawks in 2002, and was just the second complete game in the Northwest League this season.

It didn't take long for this one, as the one hour, 58 minute contest was the shortest game in the league in 2009 - and the shortest Hawks game since a one hour, 57 minute game vs. Spokane in 2005.

Couple things from Hawks trainer, Dan Golden - the Cubs have placed pitcher Tarlandus Mitchell on the 7-Day DL, due to his injury sustained on July 30 against Vancouver...Mitchell injured a muscle in his upper body after throwing a pitch...he is headed to Mesa, Ariz., and the Cubs rehab facility...also, fall-out was swift by the Northwest League after pitching coach David Rosario's ejection last night for arguing a balk call, as Rosario missed tonight's game and the next two - as part of his suspension by the NWL office.

THE BACON: Justin Bour broke up Esquibel's no-hit bid in the fifth, extending his hit streak to seven games...all 11 hits between the teams in the game were singles...Chris Rusin was sharp tonight, despite the loss, allowing just two hits, no walks, and fanning six...the Hawks have now lost five games in a row for the third time this season and fall ten games below the .500 mark for the first time this year - and are just 2-8 since Mike Sharp went on record stating that the team will win the NWL East this year (I stated that the goal should be to get to the .500 - then worry about the pennant).

The tale of the Boise-Everett series was evident again this evening - as the Hawks jumped ahead for the second straight night, leading 3-0 after three innings - including the second home run of the season by Justin Bour (pictured left).  However, the squad battled back to take a 5-3 lead into the seventh inning - only to watch the Aquasox send nine men to the plate in the bottom of the frame, with back-to-back homers by Anthony Phillips and Matt Cerione to take the lead for good in a 7-5 loss to the Frogs.

The issues for the Hawks has been hitting with runners in scoring position in the series, as Boise has gone 3-for-21 so far in the three games in such situations - including back-to-back strikeouts by Logan Watkins and Bour in the ninth with the tying runs in scoring position to close the game.  The Hawks have now lost four in a row and fall nine games below .500 for the first time since the squad was 3-12 on July 4.

THE BACON: Robert Whitenack had the longest outing by a 2009 Draft Pick, going five innings tonight, allowing three runs - and was in line to pick up his first professional win if the bullpen would have held the lead...Everett is now 17-4 at home this season - tops in the Northwest League...Jose Valdez and Hak-Ju Lee now share the league lead in stolen bases with 15 each...Hawks pitching coach David Rosario was ejected in the sixth inning arguing a balk call on Yohan Gonzalez.

THE MASCOT GAME: Unlike most teams in the NWL, the Aquasox have not one, but two mascots - Frank the Hot Dog and Webbly the Frog (hence the nickname, the Frogs)...the duo are very popular around the North Puget Sound area and frequently have their mascot friends, including the Mariner Moose join them at the park.  In fact, last year when we were in Everett - it was Frank the Hot Dog bobblehead night. 

Playing in one of the smaller ball parks in the entire Northwest League, the Boise Hawks recorded their first multi home run game of the season tonight, however, a couple of miscues led Everett to a 6-4 victory.

Hak-Ju Lee muscled up in the first, leading off the game with his first professional home run, while Bobby Wagner (pictured left) hit a long two-run shot over the manual scoreboard in right-center in the fourth to give the Hawks a 3-1 lead.

Unfortunately, Boise could not hold the lead, as converted outfielder D.J. Fitzgerald made a miscue in left for the second time in three games, dropping a fly ball in the fourth that led to two unearned runs.  Then in the eighth, Ryan Sontag was called for a balk with the go-ahead run at third base for Everett - giving the Frogs the lead for good.

Tonight marked the Boise debut of Trey McNutt, who tossed two eventful innings, allowing one earned run, one walk, and striking out three.  He also had a pair of wild pitches.

EATING RIGHT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Two of my favorite restaurants in all of the Northwest League are within walking distance of the team hotel - the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett.  Across the street from the hotel is Hunan Palace, a fabulous Chinese restaurant with lunch specials that fit the players per diem budgets (for instance, sweet & sour chicken, fried rice and chow mein, soup, and appetizer for $5.25) - with huge portions.  In the past, they have had karaoke in the lounge in the evenings - where many a former Hawks trainer has joined me on the stage.  Another great restaurant is the Buzz Inn Steakhouse, located just a block from the ball park and less than a mile hike from the hotel.  The Buzz Inn has home cooked meals with great prices - like a Rib Eye with all of the fixins for $9.95.  They have a monster club sandwich, one that in my prime, I could not finish.

THE BACON: With their third-straight loss, the Hawks dropped to eight-games below the .500 mark, their lowest point since they were 4-12 early in the season...Su-Min Jung equaled his longest start of the season, going three innings, allowing just the lead-off homer in the first inning.

The Hawks have had their experiment with day baseball again in August - this time without the pomp and gala of Ryan and Dina Hembree's wedding to attract fans.  I must say, the fans who braved the 97 degree heat were die-hards - although, in talking with the players in the clubhouse, the dugout was cool and the heat nowhere like it is in Mesa.

Robert Hernandez (pictured left) rebounded from a rough outing last Monday in Eugene with another fabulous performance, going 5.2 innings, striking out a season-high night.  If it wasn't for a misplayed ball by converted outfielder D.J. Fitzgerald in left that led to an RBI triple, a booted ball by third-baseman Bobby Wagner, or an over-turned call by the umpire crew on a sinking liner to Jae-Hoon Ha that was originally called a catch, Hernandez would have tossed six no-hit innings.

I was very pleased to see Corey Martin rebound after a tough outing earlier in the series to toss two and a third innings of scoreless relief.  An add another left-handed batter to the list of Ryan Sontag's casualties - lefties are now 0-for-18 against him.

The team left the BOI at 9 p.m. on Sunday night and according to skipper Casey Kopitzke, it felt like the shortest bus ride of the season - since the team had the opportunity to have a good meal after the game and arrived at the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett around 4 a.m. in the morning.

Tonight's game was the first of ten games in 13 days against the Aquasox (or as everyone in the Puget Sound calls them, the Frogs).  A pair of home runs for Everett were the difference in the game - although the Hawks made it interesting again in the ninth - as just as they did in Eugene, three straight batters reached in the ninth with two outs and two strikes.  Unfortunately this time, Richard Jones struck out representing the tying run to end the game, with temperatures in the 70s.

Jon Nagel continued to show promise, going three strong innings tonight - getting six ground ball outs, including a double play.  Logan Watkins had a pair of hits, including one of three doubles by the Hawks.

The game also marked the debut of Everett's newest toy from the State of Washington - what they are deeming AquaVision.  The Frogs used the state allocated funds to erect the largest video board in the Northwest League and the largest video board of the five minor league teams in the state (Tacoma, Spokane, Tri-City, Yakima, Everett).  Broadcaster Pat Dillon told me that they will have rudimentary video and graphics to start - as some of the good games (shell game, boat race, etc.) cost upwards of 5-to-10 grand to purchase).

BACON - The Hawks added a pair of players to the roster today, as Trey McNutt of Shelton State CC in Alabama, and Venezuela native Jose Guevara joined the team in Everett from the Mesa Cubs.  McNutt is a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher, while Guevara will serve as the team's third catcher.

STAFF VS. HOME PLATE: Following Sunday's game, the Hawks Staff squared off against Home Plate Food Services in a friendly softball game (of which I wasn't invited to play - which saddened me deeply).  No word yet of who won the game - although we'll probably hear a lot about it when the squad returns on August 12. 

Kind of a different blog tonight, catching up on some stuff over the past couple of days, as the Hawks rolled to a 9-0 win over Vancouver.  Yesterday was the trade deadline in the MLB, with two former Hawks being dealt - 1995 Boise alum Jarrod Washburn being sent to the Tigers from Seattle, while 2008 Hawk Josh Harrison (pictured left, courtesy of Scott Jontes of the Daytona Cubs) was sent packing from Advanced-A Daytona to the Pirates farm system as part of the trade for lefties Jason Grabow and Tom Gorzelany.  For Harrison, it is probably a good thing, as he did not have a true position in the Cubs system, while the Bucs have stated they think he will be a good second baseman.

Along the lines of moving, Brett Jackson arrived in South Bend, Ind., and served as the lead-off hitter for Peoria yesterday, going 2-for-6 with two RBI in his Low-A debut.  Following in his footsteps was Jeff Antigua, who left this morning for the shadow of the Golden Dome at Notre Dame, as the 19-year-old lefty heads to join the Chiefs.  The Hawks received Canadian Bobby Wagner yesterday from Mesa and are expected to add a couple more players by the time the team begins their series on Monday in Everett.

It was nice to have a Saturday morning to ourselves, as the family and I went to the Gem/Boise County Fair in Emmett - I wore my HawksNation bracelet and got in for $1 (I think admission was only a $1, but hey, maybe the bracelet worked?).  The look on my son's face when he saw all of the livestock today was priceless, I can't wait until he gets to go to the zoo for the first time.

Along the lines of admission, tonight's attendance for the retro 1939 night was over 3,200 fans.  People think of Boise as a football town - yet the Hawks outdrew the Boise Burn at Qwest Arena tonight (Burn had 2,700 fans), as the Burn defeated Arkansas 77-31 in the AF2 playoffs.

THE BACON - Both Jose Valdez and Logan Watkins saw their hitting streaks snapped on Friday night, Valdez at 13 games, Watkins at four...Hak-Ju Lee has now reached base safely in 25-straight games (Vancouver's Conner Crumbliss has reached in 30-straight)...great pitching tonight from Chris Rusin, who worked out of jams in the first and second, Yohan Gonzalez, who got the win, and Dionis Nunez, who was lights out to get the save.

1939 - I have to say, the Hawks staff looked awesome tonight for the 70th anniversary night for Albertson's...Todd Rahr looked like he was a wall-street trader, while the ladies - Dina Hembree, Kristen Nimmo, Kelly Kirkvliet, and others looked as if they were taken directly from a movie from that era...well done everyone!!!