101.   The Hawks are in second place and Orix is fourth.

102.   The Hawks are one game ahead of the second-place Lions.

103.   The Hawks are one game ahead of the second-place Nippon Ham Fighters, who were idle Thursday.

104.   The Hawks are a half game ahead of the Fighters who fell to second place.

105.   The Hawks are at Miami on Tuesday night and close the season at home against Washington on Wednesday.

106.   The Hawks are five games ahead of the second-place Chiba Lotte Marines whose scheduled game with the Kintetsu Buffaloes at Fujiidera was rained out.

107.   The Hawks are within two of their longest home winning streak in history.

108.   The Hawks have been particularly inconsistent this season.

109.   The Hawks were willing to take a chance on Smith because of a rash of injuries.

110.   Whatever the reason, the Hawks are happy to have the upper hand on Vancouver.