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)

Mar 8, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Nathan Karns (57) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals during the top of the fifth inning of a spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Karns was drafted in the 12th round in the 2009 MLB Draft out of Texas Tech. A shoulder injury caused him to miss all of the 2010 season and part of 2011, but he was named the Nationals’ 2012 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after compiling a 2.17 ERA at A and High A. Baseball America ranked him as the Nats’ #5 prospect, despite the fact that he is a year older than Stephen Strasburg. Now, with an 8.76 ERA in his last three starts and 4.60 overall in nine starts at AA Harrisburg, the Nationals are calling on Karns to face another pitcher who was in AA until recently, Baltimore’s Kevin Gausman.

Karns was added to the Nats’ 40-man roster this past offseason in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, which meant he also got an invite to Major League Spring Training. He impressed there, allowing one run in three outings and leaving the Nationals with the impression that he would be one of their first choices if they had to dip into the minors for a starting pitcher. A major component of the decision may have been pitching availability. Karns was scheduled to start on Tuesday anyway, while AAA starter and ex-Major Leaguer Ross Ohlendorf pitched recently and was therefore unavailable. Whether or not Karns was their top choice regardless of availability, it is clear the team thinks highly of him. Davey Johnson described his arm as “great”, and Kurt Suzuki, who caught him in Spring Training, called it “big-time.”

Despite his recent struggles, Karns will have a golden opportunity to state his case on the biggest stage tomorrow.

Oct 11, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson on the field before game four of the 2012 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

As a top high school prospect, he was drafted in the tenth round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros, but elected not to sign and instead went on to Texas Tech University. After three years there, the Nationals drafted him in the 12th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He was 21 when he was drafted, but would not make his professional debut for two more years, in 2011, as he and the Nationals medical staff worked together to heal his torn right labrum. He finally debuted in 2011, but pitched only 55.1 innings as the club eased him back into a routine. He made 13 starts between rookie ball and short-season Low A, with a 2.28 ERA, including zero runs allowed in all five of his starts in the rookie league, and a 9.6 K/9. But despite his stats, a 23-year-old who had yet to pitch in full-season ball was not given much consideration, and Karns appeared on no top prospect lists. He proved the doubters wrong in his breakout 2012 season.

In 2012, Karns threw 116 innings, again as a part of a club-imposed limit, making 18 starts and six relief appearances between A and High A. Overall, he had a 2.17 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and a 11.5 K/9. His 148 strikeouts were the most in the organization, and his exploits earned him the Nationals Pitcher of the Year Award, given annually to the best Nats-affiliated pitcher in the minor leagues. As pundits and fans alike noticed his health and ability, he shot up the rankings, as Baseball America considered him the Nats’ 8th best prospect, and ESPN’s Keith Law rated him the 99th best prospect in baseball (Insider only link).

Verdict: Karns may be old for his level, but he certainly seems to have talent. If he can stay healthy, which is still a big “if”, and keep up his level of production in AA next year, Karns will be among the game’s best prospects for 2014. With continued success, he could be a #3 starter in the majors, or even better.