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Hawks top Vancouver, Clinch East Pennant

August 26, 2012

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Jeimer Candelario went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI, helping the Boise Hawks clinch the Northwest League East Division second half pennant with an 8-2 victory over the Vancouver Canadians, before 5,157 fans at Nat Bailey Stadium.

The Hawks will host the Yakima Bears in Game 1 of the East Divisional Series on Monday, Sept. 3 at Memorial Stadium, with first-pitch set for 6:45. Game 2 and Game 3 (if necessary) will be in Yakima, beginning at 8:05 p.m. (MT). It is the 13th postseason appearance for Boise, winning NWL titles in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, and 2004. The squad lost in the Divisional Series last year to Tri-City, two games to none - their first appearance since 2006.

Trailing 2-1 in the third inning, the Hawks took the lead for good, getting a Candelario RBI single and a Willson Contreras base hit to plate Stephen Bruno to take a 3-2 lead. Boise would bat around in the fourth to score five runs - including a two-run double by Candelario.

The visitors would have to hold on, as the C's scored twice in the fifth and eighth, bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth. Nathan Dorris came in, getting slugger Art Charles to line out to Contreras in right and Matt Newman to pop up to center to clinch the title.

Hunter Ackerman tossed two and two-thirds innings of one-run relief for his first win, striking out five. Bruno went 2-for-4 and Contreras 1-for-5 - both extending their hit streaks to 16 games.

Dan Norris took the loss in his Vancouver debut, allowing eight runs in three-plus innings. Christian Lopes went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

The series finale is tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. (PT), with Felix Pena meeting Roberto Osuna.