Sticking to the plan
KENT NISHIMURA | Times
Tampa Bay Rays right handed pitcher Nathan Karns (51) warms up during a Spring Training game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in Dunedin, Florida.
DUNEDIN — Nathan Karns was already planning on competing for a spot in the Washington Nationals’ starting rotation this spring. So when he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in February, the only part of his goal that changed was the team.
Karns is one of four pitchers competing for the No. 5 spot in the Rays’ rotation, and he had a solid outing in his first start of the spring on Wednesday. The right-hander pitched 31⁄3 scoreless innings at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, giving up four hits and one walk as the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4.