It was just a matter of time. The one consistent component
of the Hawks pitching staff, Corey Martin, was promoted to Class A Peoria on
Thursday, after earning seven saves in as many chances for Boise.

In nine innings, Martin gave up five hits, no walks and one
earned run; all-the-while recording an ERA of 1.00 throughout the eight games.

One of the many downsides to the brutal life of minor league
baseball once again surfaces: consistent, strong players don’t stick around for
long.

Martin began the 2010 season with the Peoria Chiefs, but was
sent down to short season Boise after going 1-1 with a 10.38 ERA in only seven
appearances.

The loss of Martin will leave a vacant spot in the closer
position, most likely to be filled by Aaron Kurcz, who received his first save
against the Emeralds on Thursday.

Thursday was a day of movement for the Chicago Cubs
organization. Five new players were added to the Hawks roster, four of which
were 2010 draftees. Pitchers Brent Ebinger, Matthew Loosen and Eduardo Figueroa
each joined the team Thursday, with Figueroa making his second stint with the
club.

Position players Elliot Soto and Matt Szczur also joined the
team, while outfielder Runey Davis was released by the organization after
hitting .174 with two home runs and three RBI in 14 games to go with 19
strikeouts.

Two players were demoted to the Arizona Rookie League’s Mesa
Cubs as well. Joe Zeller was 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA in only four appearances,
while Yao-Lin Wang went 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA, allowing 19 hits in 14 innings.

Offensive juggernaut Brandon May was placed on the 7-Day
Disabled List after hitting three home runs and driving home 14 RBI for the
Hawks this season. May will rehab his injured left knee along with pitcher
Tarlandus Mitchell, who strained a muscle during the pregame workouts in
Spokane on Monday.

GAME NOTES:

Offense was plentiful for the Boise Hawks on Friday Night,
allowing the team to recover after one disastorous inning – the fifth – and maintain
their East Division lead over the Spokane Indians, who defeated the Everett
Aquasox.

Despite a relatively sound first three innings of work by
Hawks pitcher John Mincone couldn’t find his first win of the season. Mincone
received a no-decision after being removed in the fifth inning in the midst of
a Eugene offensive surge.

Though the Emeralds scored six runs against one of the worst
statistical offenses in the Northwest League, Boise was able to hold onto the
lead after two four run innings, allowing them to defeat Eugene 9-6.

Alvaro Ramirez and Arismendy Alcantara both had multi-hit
ball games Friday, finishing 3-for-5 and 3-for-3 respectively. In his first
game with the Hawks, Elliot Soto had one hit in three tries, driving in two
runs in the fourth for the club.

Brent Ebinger received the win for the Hawks after taking
over for Mincone, throwing 2.2 innings while giving up four hits and walking
two Eugene hitters.

In the stead of Corey Martin, Daniel Keefe was called on to
close for Boise, throwing one inning and striking out the side in the top of
the ninth.