Nate Karns was adequate in his MLB debut and the offense pounded out 13 hits and nine runs, thanks in part to two homers by Adam LaRoche, and the Nationals (27-25) beat up the Orioles, 9-3.

May 28, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) scores a run during the eighth inning as Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) is unable to apply the tag at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

LaRoche kicked it off early, with a three run bomb off Kevin Gausman to give the Nats an early lead. However, Karns could not suppress the potent O’s offense. Matt Wieters had a one-run double in the second, and Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy both hit solo shots in the fourth to knot the score.

But in the bottom of the fourth, the Nats busted it open. Tyler Moore hit a two run homer, his fifth straight game with a hit, and Roger Bernadina followed it up with one of his own. One out later, Denard Span drove in Kurt Suzuki on a double. Gausman served it up for the Nats, who gladly took advantage. He allowed seven runs on eight hits and one walk in four innings while striking out none. In fact, the Nationals only struck out once all game. With a 7-3 lead, the pitching took over.

Karns struggled a bit in the fifth, issuing two walks and recording just one out before being pulled. All in all, his debut went well: he threw 4.1 innings and allowed three runs on five hits with two walks while striking out three. Miraculously, Zach Duke (W, 1-1) came in and pitched efficiently to bail him out. Duke’s second pitch was a double play ball that ended the fifth, and he pitched a perfect sixth on just six more pitches. His season ERA plummeted nearly a full run to 8.10. Drew Storen and Tyler Clippardeach pitched scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth.

May 28, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Nats’ offensive barrage reached its finale in the eighth. LaRoche led the frame off with his second homer of the game, marking his third multi-homer game this season. He was 2-3 overall with a walk, three runs scored, and four RBI. Shortly afterwards, Bernadina singled in Ian Desmond to put the game at its eventual final of 9-3 before Fernando Abad pitched a scoreless ninth.

For those of you on Beard Watch, it appears to have assumed a bit of an opposite role to its original intent. It was called a “rally beard” by the official Nationals twitter account, much to Davey’s wife’s chagrin. The Nationals’ offense is clearly back in a big way, with one strikeout, nine runs, and thirteen hits, but the beard will stay for now.

Next Game: Wednesday in Baltimore, 7:05PM. Zimmermann (8-2, 1.71) v. Tillman (4-2, 3.68)

San Diego struck for two runs in the first inning off of Gio. Everth Cabrera walked with one out, and after Chase Headley popped out, Jesus Guzman also walked. Kyle Blanks then followed with a base hit to right field that scored Cabrera initially. Bryce Harper tried to throw out Guzman at third base, but his throw short-hopped Ryan Zimmerman and went into the stands, allowing Guzman to score as well. The first inning has quickly become Gio’s bane, as he has now given up eight earned runs in nine first innings. Gio has given up a combined 15 runs in every other inning he has pitched after the opening frame. If Gio hadn’t pitched in any first inning this year, he would have a 3.21 ERA (15 ER/ 42.1 IP).

The Nationals offense quickly responded against San Diego right hander Burch Smith in the fourth inning. After back to back singles by Harper and Zimmerman started the inning, Adam Laroche extended his hitting streak to 14 games by launching a Smith fastball into the right center field bleachers. The offense wasn’t done however. In the sixth inning, Ryan Zimmerman walloped a ball just over the right field wall for his second home run of the year, and LaRoche followed by once again pounding Smith’s offering out of the ballpark. After a slow start to the season, LaRoche is heating up at just the right time. He has four home runs in his last 4 games and has been carrying the offense.

The Padres refused to go down easily in the ninth inning. After a Jedd Gyorko off of Gonzalez had trimmed the deficit to two in the sixth inning, the Nationals appeared to have control until Soriano(1-0) came into the ballgame in the ninth to try and end the game. Chris Denorfia reached on a Zimmerman throwing error with one out and scored on a Chase Headley single with two outs. Pinch hitter Yonder Alonso followed with a base hit to right field and then Blanks tied the game with a soft line drive to the outfield grass. It was Soriano’s second blown save of the year.

In the tenth inning, San Diego closer Huston Street(0-3) got the first two outs before Chad Tracy pinch hit and demolished a changeup for a go-ahead home run. Drew Storen escaped a two on, one out situation in the bottom of the inning to lock down the game and record his first save of the year. The Nationals dodged a huge bullet when Storen was unharmed after getting hit on the pitching hand by a comebacker.

The Nationals will go for the series victory in San Diego Saturday night behind the right arm of Jordan Zimmerman(7-1, 1.69). Zimmerman looks to keep right with Matt Harvey and Shelby Miller as the best pitchers in the NL this year and pick up his fith straight win and his would be major league leading eight win overall. The Padres will counter with crafty left hander Eric Stults(3-3, 4.57), First pitch is at 8:40 ET.

Apr 4, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) bats against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

LaRoche struggled early in the season, going 0-13 with a walk in his first four games played, but insisted the injury did not hamper his performance. In his absence, his replacement Chad Tracy was not much better, with one hit in nine at bats and a walk in ten plate appearance. With LaRoche back, the Nationals will regain some of the composure and veteran leadership on the field that they may have lacked against the Reds.