P-Nats open series with Rocks with W

Nathan Karns was dominant in the longest start of his career as the Potomac Nationals beat the Wilmington Blue Rocks 7-1 in the first of a four-game series at Pfitzner Stadium.  In eight innings of work, Karns struck out a career-high 11 batters surrendering just one run on two hits.

In his fourth start with Potomac, Karns (2-2) allowed one hit after the second inning and retired 20 of the last 23 batters he faced.  The reigning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week lowered his ERA from 4.15 to 3.00.

Mark DeRosa played his fourth straight game with Potomac on rehab assignment.  In four plate appearances, DeRosa was 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.  He was pinch hit for in the seventh inning after playing seven innings defensively at third base.

Potomac scored first for the first time in the second half with two runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Francisco Soriano led off with a walk and moved to third base on a double by Adrian Sanchez.  DeRosa brought in Soriano with an RBI groundout that gave the P-Nats a 1-0 lead.  David Freitas came up next and doubled to deep right-center field to score Sanchez and double Potomac’s lead to 2-0.

The Blue Rocks got on the scoreboard against Nathan Karns in the second inning.  After a pair of walks and an infield single, Lane Adams scored on an RBI groundout by Roman Hernandez to bring the score to 2-1.

Kevin Keyes doubled the run total for Potomac in the second inning with a two-run home run down the right field line. It was his seventh of the season.

Keyes picked up his third RBI of the game in the third inning as he singled home Jason Martinson to extend the Potomac lead to 5-1.

Spot starter Chase Boruff (1-3) made his second start of the season but could not get out of the third inning.  He received the loss allowing five runs on six hits in two and one-third innings.

Sanchez’s second home run of the season in the fourth inning upped the Nationals advantage to 6-1.  Sanchez has hit safely in six straight contests.