Boise Gets Fast Start On Southern Half

An incredible July transported the Boise Hawks to last year’s Northwest League baseball title.

Boise apparently didn’t wish to wait until the seventh month this time around.

The Hawks, 7-2 this year, are already pulling away from most of the Southern Division.

Boise started slowly last season, but won 24 of 29 games in July to make a mockery of the pennant race.

During a recent four-game stretch, the Hawks outscored opponents 39-9. Their fielding has also been sharp: The Hawks have played errorless ball in four of nine games

Hawks outfielder Kevin Ham, a returner from last year, homered in three consecutive games during the week. Infielders Danny Buxbaum and Ryan Kane have hit grand slams; Kane is averaging two runs batted in per game.

Everything is going Boise’s way, and more is on the way. Righthanded pitcher Brian Cooper, the California Angels’ fourth-round selection in the amateur draft, has been assigned to the Hawks.

Off on wrong Foote

Eugene catcher Derek Foote, son of ex-major leaguer Barry Foote, swung so hard at a pitch during the Emeralds’ season opener that he tore ligaments in his leg.

Foote was sent to Atlanta, home of the parent club Braves, for surgery.

His replacement, Mike Mahoney, hit a two-run homer Thursday to defeat Spokane 3-1.

Sultans

Infielders Jose Amado (5) and Joe Pomierski (4) of Everett have easily out-homered Portland (1) this year. After two blasts on Friday, Spokane is neck-and-neck in homers with Pomierski.

Who’s on first?

Guess what famous pair rooms together in Medford for the Southern Oregon A’s? Pitchers (Todd) Abbott and (T.J.) Costello.

A’s manager Tony DeFrancesco has used the pair in the same game twice this season. He’s careful, however, to use Costello before Abbott so the media doesn’t attempt levity in game stories.

Great gate

Portland’s opening-day attendance, announced at 19,658, was updated to 20,600. Rockies officials forgot to count people in the bleacher seats.

The Famous Chicken entertained the large crowd, which stuck around afterward for a fireworks display.

Once the poultry and sparks disappeared, Portland came back to earth with a gate of 2,146 against Southern Oregon.

First Blood

Correcting a story in Friday’s league roundup, Bellingham pitcher Darin Blood had four strikeouts and three walks during his professional debut Thursday against Portland.

Blood, the Post Falls native who attended Gonzaga University, was credited with no strikeouts and no walks in the original story.

Around the league

Bellingham catcher Yolvit Torrealba, a free agent from Venezuela, is the league’s youngest player at 16. He had a sacrifice fly in his lone appearance to date… . Boise pitchers Josh Deakman and Travis Thurmond, who pitch back-to-back in the starting rotation, have been best friends since second grade in Beaverton, Ore… . Eugene shortstop Matthew Taylor started the year 0 for 22… . Portland, which has 18 pitchers on its roster, has yet to allow a homer.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN - Northwest League notebook