Bloxom, Karns Spark 12-3 Blowout of Akron
Harrisburg, PA - Justin Bloxom homered and drove in five runs, and Nathan Karns tossed eight strong innings to lead the Harrisburg Senators to a 12-3 victory over the Akron Aeros in the series opener at Metro Bank Park.
Akron took a brief lead with a run in the top of the first, but the Senators answered back with three in the bottom half and were off and running from there. Carlos Rivero delivered an RBI double and Bloxom lined a two-run single to the opposite field in left.
The Senators tied a season-high with 17 hits, after pounding out the same number on Tuesday against New Britain. Steven Souza, Jr. led the way with four, including a two-run homer in the second. He also had two doubles, a triple, scored four runs, and came a single short of the cycle. It was the team-leading 13th home run for Souza.
Harrisburg broke open the game with a five-run fourth, as the first five batters all reached and scored, knocking Akron starter Paolo Espino out of the game. Brian Goodwin, who had three hits and three runs scored, led off with a single and stole second. Souza delivered an RBI double, and Rivero singled. The next batter was Bloxom, who launched a three-run blast to right, his sixth home run of the season. Jimmy VanOstrand followed with his fifth homer in five games and his 10th of the year.
Nathan Karns retired 16 straight after giving up a one-out single in the third. On the night, the right-hander allowed just three hits, two runs, walked three, and struck out seven. He improved his record to 7-3.
Tomorrow, the Senators continue their four-game series at Metro Bank Park against the Akron Aeros. Game time is 7:00 p.m. and the game can be heard on 1460am The Ticket, on the Internet through the Senators website, and it's available through iHeart Radio beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m.