Smashing home run a good way for Keyes to start run with P-Nats

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

April 25, 2013, 2:01pm

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It has not been the fastest start for Potomac Nationals first baseman Kevin Keyes. But Wednesday's home run at Carolina may change that. His first home run of the season, and 42nd of his minor league career, was a mammoth blast at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. that smashed a light bulb on the outfield light tower. Here is the description from Potomac Nationals Web site: "Keyes' majestic, Ruthian blast was a high-arching drive that collided with a band of bulbs on the left field light pole, smashing one of the bulbs and putting that individual light out of commission a la 'The Natural.' " Here is a video link to the home run. And here's the call by P-Nats voice Bryan Holland. Keyes, who has been converted from outfielder to first baseman, is 6-foot-3 and weighs 225 lbs. He is hitting .184 in 18 games, with that home run and 10 RBIs. He has struck out 26 times, but now has at least one base hit in seven of his last 10 games. The Nationals switched him to first base at instructional league at the end of last season to take advantage of his power bat at that position and because they had a good amount of outfield depth stored in the system.