There have been some miserable nights in the Northwest League over the years, but nothing compares to last night in Spokane.  Gametime temperatures in the 40s, rain, and wind blowing at 15-25 miles per hour throughout – with an open-air pressbox that doesn’t have heaters.

(Click Here for Wednesday Afternoon’s Game Notes)

I remember a game in Spokane in August 2004 – which was a night like yesterday (though it was in the 60s, not the 40s) in which Darin Downs helped the Hawks to a 1-0 win, starting an eight-game win streak on the Western Idaho Fair road trip that helped the team to the NWL East Division pennant.  I remember a few rainy nights in Vancouver, when all the windows in the press box were closed and the crowd microphone was funneled through a hole (that usually has a wasp net in it) to the backstop screen.  And one can’t forget the infamous night in Everett during the 2010 season when Jody Davis pulled the Hawks off the field after Ryan Cuneo slipped on the warning track after a two-hour rain delay – eventually forfeiting the game to the Aquasox.

But none of them were like last night.  Thankfully, Spokane PR man Bud Bareither brought up a hot cup of coffee in the fourth inning – which kept me warm (for an inning or two).

MEMORIES OF THE COLD: Trainer Bob Grimes reminisced about days early in the season at AAA when he was with the Iowa Cubs – recalling a game in Calgary in which the infield dirt was frozen for a day game, forcing a freeze delay for two hours.  He also recalled a game in Omaha to start a season in which he got to the park on a cloudy day, then looked outside and saw snow falling – forcing the postponement, with nine inches of snow blanketing Des Moines by the time the team made the trip down I-80.  Skipper Mark Johnson recalled when he was playing for the Tucson Sidewinders and they opened the PCL season in Colorado Springs – with all four games of the series postponed due to snow.

THE GOOD: The Spokane grounds crew, which despite the consistent rain all day, got the field in playable shape.

THE BAD: The Hawks offensive attack, as Boise had only a few good at-bats on the night, mustering a trio of hits (though a trio of highlight-reel plays by the Spokane defense didn’t help).  Hayden Simpson hurt his own cause in both the seventh and eighth, throwing away a pickoff move in both frames – leading to an unearned run in the eighth.

A total of 139 former Boise Hawks are currently active in professional baseball, including 25 at the Major League level.

(Click Here to View the June 26 Alumni Report)

Currently, tonight’s game in Spokane is scheduled for a 6:35 p.m. (PT) start – despite constant rain and temperatures in the low 50s.

There are truly three AAA type cities in the Northwest League – Boise, Vancouver, and Spokane, and it is always a joy to come to Avista Stadium.  Great staff at the ballpark, a top-notch facility, and good crowds make it fun – win or loss.

(Click Here for Tuesday Night’s Game Notes)

As I have said in the past, the vantage point from high-atop the ballpark is one of the best in the league, as is the chicken sandwich and dill pickle spear that I get nearly every night (though it would be nice if the Indians would offer some of the great barbeque or rice bowls that they have on the concourse).

NOTES FROM MONDAY: I have not received word from trainer Bob Grimes as to the status of the elbow injury to Amaury Paulino, who had to leave last night’s game in the eighth inning…Marco Hernandez and Gioskar Amaya each had doubles in the loss, extending their hit streaks to seven games, equaling the longest streaks in the NWL – with Amaya having reached base safely in all 11 games he’s played…Willson Contreras gunned down two base runners last night, with opposing runners just 3-for-10 in stolen base attempts against him…Bill Buckner was honored in the second inning as being a part of the 1970 Spokane Indians team that won the Pacific Coast League title – a squad that was managed by Tommy Lasorda.

ALUMNI REPORT: Look later tonight for the latest Boise Hawks alumni report, as I have indentified 139 former Hawks who are currently active in pro baseball – including Spokane hitting coach Oscar Bernard (’05) and Spokane pitching coach Ryan O’Malley (’02).

We’ll take a look at last night’s game in Spokane later this afternoon (plus finishing up an Alumni Report), but here is a video outside the hotel today at the rain pounding the Spokane Valley.  Without a tarp, it will be a challenge for the Avista Stadium grounds crew to get the playing surface ready.

Though the wind was blowing out to right field last night at Memorial Stadium, it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary at the ballpark – however, the six combined home run smashed between the Hawks and Eugene were, as Boise held off a late rally for an 14-11 win over the Emeralds to claim the series win.  Watch Game Highlights below (or Click Here for Monday’s Game Notes vs. Spokane)

Back to back home runs in the first by Marco Hernandez and Jeimer Candelario, a solo shot from Shawon Dunston Jr, and a two-run blast from Gioskar Amaya marked the first time since the 2007 season that the Hawks hit four homers in one game.

Boise recorded their highest scoring output and hit total for the season – and won, despite allowing 18 Eugene hits, taking advantage of a trio of double plays.

THE GOOD: One night after having the final 12 men retired in a row, the Hawks had a quality night at the plate as a collective group – as all nine batters in the order had at least one hit. Five players had two hits in the game, with Amaya and Hernandez each scoring a season-high three runs.  Jose Arias had a good relief appearance, giving up two unearned runs in three innings of relief.

THE BAD: It was another rough outing for Pete Levitt, who allowed six runs on five hits in the top of the ninth inning, getting just one out.  The right-hander saw his ERA balloon to 22.85, with opposing hitters hitting a gaudy .571 against him.  Boise committed three errors in the win, and now has 18 errors in 10 games.

NOTES: The last time the Hawks hit four home runs in a game was on July 17, 2007 at Everett, when Billy Moss, Marquez Smith, Tony Thomas, and Jonathan Wyatt each went deep for Boise…attendance for the opening homestand was below average, as the Hawks rank sixth in the eight team league in attendance – right around 2,500 fans…following the game last night, infielder Brian Inoa was given his release by the Chicago Cubs.

LATE NIGHT BUS TRIP: The Hawks embarked on a seven-hour bus ride to Spokane at midnight last night, arriving in the Spokane Valley just after 6 a.m. this morning. (Here is a photo from a rest stop between the Tri-Cites and Ritzville along US-395 at 4:30 a.m.)  It could be an interesting three-game series with the Indians, as Tuesday’s weather looks much like the deluge that is plaguing the Florida State League – nearly an inch of rain is forecast for Eastern Washington.

A good game on Saturday night betwen the Hawks and Eugene, unfortunately, after a four-run fifth inning rally got Boise the lead, the team couldn’t muster any offense over the last four innings, eventually losing 5-4.

(Click Here for Game Notes for Sunday’s Series Finale)

THE GOOD: The first three innings of work for Ian Dickson was outstanding – retired all nine men in order, including four first-pitch outs…Marco Hernandez played a flawless game at shortstop, making a pair of outstanding plays on a night he had eight ground balls hit at him…Joe Zeller had the knuckler working, tossing two shutout innings of relief…Reggy the Purple Party Dude entertained the crowd the entire night, drawing laughs from fans of all ages.

THE BAD: Dickson’s fourth inning of work, as Eugene made adjustments the second time through the order, as they chased the right-hander…the approach at the plate late in the game, as Ems pitchers retired the final 12 men in order

NOTES: Following the game, reliever Matt Spencer was called up to Class-A Peoria after allowing just one run in three appearances with the Hawks.

ESPN CALLS ZELLER: With the success of New York Mets pitcher, R.A. Dickey this season – and the knuckleball artist pitching tonight on Sunday Night Baseball against the Yankees, ESPN wrote a feature article on his success and the lack of other knuckleball pitchers in professional baseball.  Only two pitchers who throw the pitch are active in the minors – including the Hawks’ Zeller, who was featured prominently in the article.  To read Adam Rubin’s piece on Dickey (and Zeller), go to http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/8089178/new-york-mets-ra-dickey-giving-hope-aspiring-knuckleballers.

AROUND THE HORN: Everett pitcher Seon Gi Kim was unhittable last night against the Spokane Indians, as the hurler did not allow a hit in six shutout innings, fanning a league-best 13 batters, the the Aquasox 2-0 win…Spokane broke up the no-no with one out in the seventh…former Hawk, Josh Harrison had one of the Top-10 plays of the night on Sportscenter, ranging deep in the hole at short to make a fabulous play against the Detroit Tigers…Brett Jackson hit his 10th home run of the season in Iowa’s 4-2 loss at home to Round Rock.

RALPH NAMED STEELIES COACH: The Idaho Steelheads announced their new head coach in a unique way Saturday, as new head man, Brad Ralph threw out the first pitch of the Boise-Eugene game – before facing the Boise media in an impromptu press conference.

 

(Click Here for Saturday Night’s Game Notes)

It got crazy at Memorial Stadium last night in the sixth inning, as outflow winds from thunderstorms in Eastern Oregon unleashed a dust storm that delayed the game for nine minutes.  The 50-mile-and-hour winds lasted for about 15 minutes – and died down enough for the postgame fireworks show to go off (albeit an abbreviated show).

The Hawks won back to back games for the first time this year, thanks to a big effort from Gioskar Amaya, who had four hits, two stolen bases, and two RBI, and Jeimer Candelario, who hit a homer for the third straight game – this time a three-run shot.

A big key to the win was a stellar effort by the Hawks bullpen, as a trio of pitchers combined to toss five and a third scoreless innings – as Matt Spencer picked up his first professional win.  Bryce Shafer got into trouble in the ninth, loading the bases with only one out, but got Clark Murphy to ground into a game-ending double play.

ANNOUNCEMENT ON SATURDAY: The Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL will be announcing their new head coach prior to the Hawks game on Saturday night, as the new coach will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.  He will then conduct a press conference in the Hawks’ offices following.

ROSTER MOVE AGAIN: For the second-straight year, a player spent one day in Boise – as Zach Rosscup arrived yesterday from Mesa and is on a plane today to Peoria to continue his rehab for the Daytona Cubs.

ESPN STORY TO FEATURE ZELLER: Look for a story on knuckleball pitchers on ESPN.com on Sunday, which will feature Hawks’ right-hander Joe Zeller.  With the success of R.A. Dickey of the Mets, ESPN will chronicle other knuckleball pitchers in the minor leagues.

NOTES: Former Hawk Russ Canzler was named International League Player of the Week for the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland) after hitting three homer and driving in 13…Geovany Soto hit is sixth homer of the season for the Cubs last night in a 6-1 loss in Arizona.

Here are the Game Notes for Game 3 of the series with the Eugene Emeralds (Click Here for Game Notes)

There have been some articles about the Hawks stadium “issue” in the local and regional media over the past few days – here are some links to some of the better stories…

Idaho Statesman – “Hawks Opening Day – and one lingering question”

Oregonian – “Boise Hawks Baseball Team eyed Hillsboro”

Idaho Press Tribune – “Owner Hopes Boise Still Wants the Hawks”

KTVB-TV – “Baseball Stadium Plans Remain in Left Field”

KIVI-TV – “Boise Hawks GM Talks About Upcoming Season”

 

After another untimely error put the Boise Hawks three outs away from a 1-6 start, the wand that is Memorial Stadium Magic was waved in the bottom of the ninth inning – as a two-run rally gave the squad their first home win, 5-4 over Eugene.

Below are the highlights from our MILB.tv feed (courtesy of Fiberpipe)…we appologize for the buffering issues on the video broadcast and hope to have it fixed by Friday night.

Jeimer Candelario hit a tough 1-2 pitch into right field to score Gioskar Amaya (who hit his NWL leading third triple of the season with one out), and after a Willson Contreras single,  Rock Shoulders blasted a drive to the warning track in left – well deep enough to score pinch runner Brian Inoa with the winner.

It gave Hayden Simpson his first win – in possibly one of his best appearances in his young career, going four innings, allowing an unearned run on one hit, one walk, and tying a career-high with seven strikeouts.

Despite squandering opportunities all night, the Hawks gutted out the win – moving out of the cellar in the East (as Spokane lost in extra innings for a second-straight night in Everett).

NOTES – Stephen Bruno recorded his first professional hit, an infield single in the second inning…Eduardo Gonzalez stole the first base of the season for the Hawks in the sixth, swiping third…the Hawks are expected to receive a pair of players on rehab stints tomorrow from Mesa – as left-handed pitcher Zach Rosscup and right-handed pitcher Su-Min Jung will join the team (both currently are on the 7-day DL with the Daytona Cubs)…former Hawk, Kyler Burke, was promoted today to the Daytona Cubs (from Peoria), while Rebel Ridling was sent from Tennessee to Daytona…another former Hawk, Richard Jones, was released.

I had the opportunity to join Chris Nettleton on the KBOI-2 5:00 News last night and mentioned it to him that last night was probably the best weather a Boise Hawks fan would have at Memorial Stadium this summer.  80 degrees, a light breeze, no clouds.  Absolutely perfect – and a great game to boot (despite the outcome).

(Click Here for Thursday, 6/21, Game Notes)

Eugene, on the first of 14 games away from PK Park, scored all seven of their runs with two outs, topping the Hawks, 7-4.  The Ems have to play five in the BOI, then trips to Salem-Keizer, Vancouver, and Everett before returning home July 4 (as Eugene is hosting the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials.

THE GOOD: The Fans…it is funny to see the difference in 3,000-fan bases.  At Salem-Keizer, 3,000 fans were at the first three games of the series and weren’t a part of the game, in Boise – they get loud, whether it is cheering or booing a player or umpire.  Jeimer Candelario (pictured left) hit a long two-run homer (first non-solo homer of the season by the Hawks), and despite taking the loss, Amaury Paulino was sharp until tiring in his fourth inning of work.

THE BAD: Hitting with men in scoring position.  The Hawks are hitting just .130 as a team this year with men in scoring position – the difference in a 4-2 start and the 1-5 slump they are in…untimely miscues – a throwing error with runners at first and third in the third inning plated a run, the seventh unearned run allowed through six games.

NOTES: Chadd Krist (pictured right), the ninth-round pick out of Cal, logged his first professional hit with a third inning single – as just as they did with Shawon Dunston Jr. and Justin Marra this season, he received the ball for his collection…The Cub Reporter mentioned last night that a pair of former Boise Hawks, Jonathan Mota and Ben Wells, have recently underwent Tommy John Surgery and are out for the season…Hawks primary owner, Neil Leibmann was in attendance at the game…prior to the game (which started 17 minutes late), the Hawks honored bat boy John Lothrop, who passed away recently at the age of 14.

ASK THE EXPERTS: We’ll be starting a series this summer with some of the key Boise Hawks sponsors, talking about how-to things…the first is with our friends at the Idaho Athletic Club