For the first time ever, I managed to get a question answered today on an ESPN.com chat.   I thought I'd share the answer with you, even though it isn't very enlightening. That's not Jim Callis's fault though.  He tried.

Josh (Sacramento): Care to explain Jeff Samardzija for me? Is he from the Bizarroworld? He gets promoted to AAA and starts striking out a batter an inning, which is about twice what he did at lower levels. He did this last season too, when he was dreadful at High-A Daytona and was decent after getting promoted. Does the Shark make any sense?

Jim Callis: (2:29 PM ET ) No, no sense at all. Even without the increased strikeout rate, he's still getting hit more than a guy with at true 94-mph sinker should.

Iowa Cubs

The Pacific Coast League All-Stars, managed by I-Cubs skipper Pat Listach, scored six runs in the ninth inning and then hung on in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the International League All-Stars, 6-5.

A 2-0 game was blown open in the ninth inning when the PCL exploded for six runs to make the score 6-2.  Then the IL scored three runs in the bottom of the inning before the PCL finally got the 27th out.

I-Cubs pitcher Mike Burns pitched a perfect sixth inning.  He struck out one.  I-Cub pitcher J. R. Mathes faced two batters and allowed both inherited baserunners to score on an infield single and a ground out.

Tennessee Smokies

The Smokies beat the Huntsville Stars, 3-1.

Esmailin Caridad pitched a gem tonight.  He threw seven shutout innings and allowed only four hits and a walk.  Caridad struck out two. Jose Ceda picked up his sixth save in AA, but he did allow a run on three hits in two innings.  Ceda struck out two and walked no one.

Left fielder Jake Fox was 3 for 4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.  Fox also stole a base.

Daytona Cubs

Daytona rode some strong pitching performances to a 4-2 victory over the Fort Myers Miracle.

Hung-Wen Chen got his first win in High-A tonight with a 5.2 inning start.  He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out four.

The bullpen of Dustin Sasser, Mike Cooper and Blake Parker then shut down the Miracle the rest of the way.  Parker picked up his fourth save for the  D-Cubs.

Shortstop Darwin Barney was 2 for 4 with a two-run home run in the first inning.  The homer was Barney's third of the year.

Rich Hill will start for Daytona tomorrow night.

Peoria Chiefs

The Chiefs dismantled the Lansing Lugnuts, 8-1.

Jose Piña started and pitched 1.2 innings.  He allowed two singles and a walk, but didn't allow a run.  Piña struck out three.

Piña was relieved by winning pitcher Jay Jackson.  Jackson was brilliant in 4.1 innings of relief.  He allowed only two hits and no runs while striking out eight Lugnuts and walking no one.

Craig Muschko pitched the final three innings for his fifth save.  He allowed one run on three hits.

First baseman Rebel Ridling had a big night.  Ridling was 3 for 5 with two doubles and a home run.  Ridling scored twice and had three RBI.

Left fielder Brandon Guyer was 2 for 4 with two doubles and a walk.  Guyer scored twice and knocked one in.  Third baseman Jovan Rosa was 3 for 5 with a triple, two RBI and one run scored.  Right fielder Cliff Andersen was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

DH Luis Bautista was 2 for 4.  Shortstop Nate Samson was 2 for 5 with a run scored.  Center fielder Jonathan Wyatt was 1 for 5 with his third home run in Peoria.

Boise Hawks

The Hawks exploded for 22 hits and demolished the Tri-City Dust Devils, 10-4.

Harol Tolentino started and allowed one run on a solo home run in three innings.  He allowed three hits total and four walks.  Tolentino struck out one.  Bubba O'Donnell got the win.  He pitched 2.1 innings and didn't allow a run.

OK, not everyone who deserved to get mentioned will get mentioned on nights the Hawks pound out 22 hits. 

Let's start with second baseman Josh Harrison.  Harrison was 4 for 5, scored twice and had four RBI.  Harrison also stole a base.

Sticking with the Joshes, Josh Vitters was 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored.

First baseman Ryan Keedy was 3 for 5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.

DH Michael Bochy was 3 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.

OK.  I'm hearing that's actually Michael Brenly, not Michael Bochy.  I apologize to Michael.

You think we'd hear more about this Brenly kid.  He's hitting .351 now.

AZL Cubs

Lost to the AZL Brewers, 9-8.