Bus Leagues Express: July 23

Top stories

Harvey promoted: After weeks of Mets fans calling on Sandy Alderson to make a change, they’re getting what they wanted. After Miguel Batista made another disastrous start over the weekend, former top 10 pick Matt Harvey was promoted to the big leagues. Harvey had a 3.68 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 110 innings this year with AAA Buffalo in just his second pro season. Although those numbers aren’t overwhelming, he is striking out more than a batter per inning. June was likely his best month with Buffalo when he posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 33 innings with 40 strikeouts. With Batista out of the picture and Johan Santana on the DL, Harvey should get an extended chance to prove he’s ready with the Mets.

Memphis hits two grand slams in an inning: It’s not quite as good as Fernando Tatis because it’s two different players, but this feat is remarkable nonetheless. In the 4th inning with Oklahoma City starter Paul Clemens already out of the game, Pete Kozma hit the first grand slam of the inning with one out to score Steven Hill, Eugenio Velez and Ryan Jackson. After striking out a batter for the second out, reliever Adalberto Flores walked the bases loaded, and Hill stepped up to the plate and socked the second grand slam of the inning. At that point, the Redbirds were winning 16-2, but they weren’t done; they posted a seven run inning in the 7th en route to their 24-7 blowout of Oklahoma City.

Trenton, Myrtle Beach complete big comebacks: At the end of the day Sunday, the Reading Phillies and Potomac Nationals were left shaking their heads after letting big leads get away. Reading once led 9-0 in their 13-12 extra innings loss to Trenton, and they also scored in the top half of the 10th inning before losing the lead immediately in the bottom half. With three runs already home in the inning, Zoilo Almonte‘s two run homer in the 5th cut the Reading lead to 9-5, and it was all downhill for the Phillies from there. In Carolina League action, the P-Nats took a 7-0 lead after two innings that included a Jason Martinson grand slam. In the next two innings, the Pelicans answered back with nine runs of their own to take the lead for good. They went on to win 11-8 with three hits and three RBI from Brett Nicholas.

Bonifacio has first career two homer game: Jorge Bonifacio has been one of the notable breakout players in the lower minors, and Sunday may have been his best game yet. The 19 year old is in the midst of a slump, but he had his first two home run game in Kane County’s 6-2 win at Dayton. His plate approach could use some work, but he’s showing nice power for a corner outfielder that’s not all that physical at 6’1 and 192 pounds. He’s only batting .167 in his last 10 games with six hits, but five of them went for extra bases. Bonifacio’s 2012 season is remarkably similar to his 2011 with an OPS that’s just one point lower than his mark in the Appy League last year.

Stroman gets first pro win: After allowing two earned runs in each of his first two outings, Marcus Stroman appears to be settling into pro ball. He now has six strikeouts in four scoreless innings over his last two appearances, and Sunday he was credited with his first win in relief in Vancouver’s 5-2 win over Spokane. The Blue Jays seem determined to keep him in a relief role this year, and he could rise through the system quickly in that case. Stroman deserves the chance to start, but all the pre-draft buzz surrounding Duke’s former Friday starter indicated that teams saw him as a bullpen arm because of his size.

Travieso solid in pro debut: Thanks to the earlier signing deadline and a healthier amateur signing culture in baseball, the pro debuts are rolling in early, and Nick Travieso made his in the Arizona League Sunday night. The Florida native and Reds draft pick struck out one in a perfect inning of work, and ESPN’s Keith Law reported his fastball sat in the low 90′s. That was not the only thing significant about the Arizona Reds’ 6-4 win over the Arizona Cubs; Jorge Soler hit his first pro home run. Early reports indicate the ball is flying off his bat, and that includes the outs. In the 6th inning, he hit a lie drive that deflected off Tanner Rahier‘s head, and he had to leave the game although he seems to be okay. Soler finished with two hits.

On tap today

MiLB.TV schedule

Jeurys Familia looks to continue momentum

Southern League takes a day off

A majority of teams don’t have probables posted, preventing me from providing any useful information in this section