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The 24-year-old struck out six and threw 55 strikes in an 82-pitch outing.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees outfielder Kevin Reese rounds the bases after a grand slam in the third inning of Sunday’s game versus the Charlotte Knights. The Yankees won 7-2.
Fred adams/The Times Leader
MOOSIC–You could describe pitcher Jeff Karstens’ dominating performance Sunday for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as icing on the cake for the New York Yankees.
On a day that New York scored 21 runs in a romp over Tampa Bay, Karstens was nothing short of dazzling in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s 7-2 win over Charlotte at PNC Field.
In his third rehab start since breaking his leg in April, Karstens limited the Knights to just one run on three hits in six innings of work. Karstens threw 82 pitches, including 55 strikes, and struck out six.
Perhaps most important, Karstens declared himself fit and ready to return to the Bronx.
“I felt great,” said the 24-year-old right-hander. “I wasn’t really happy with my first two (rehab) starts because I didn’t have command of my fastball, but that wasn’t the case today.”
Karstens was in charge from the opening pitch of Sunday’s game. He consistently stayed ahead in the count, and his fastball was virtually unhittable.
His only mistake occurred in the third inning, when Charlotte’s Jason Bourgeois hit a solo home run — a line shot over the left field fence.
“I’m pleased with my effort,” said Karstens, who also made rehab starts at Staten Island and Trenton. “This is a big jump because there are some very good hitters in Triple-A.”
Karstens never got into any type of jam against the Knights, but said he was tiring a bit in the sixth inning. “My breaking ball started to spin and roll up.”
Karstens, who made two starts for New York prior to getting hurt, said he’s not concerned about how soon he returns to the majors. “I’m just happy to be pitching again.”
The Yankees staked Karstens to a 4-1 lead on Kevin Reese’s grand slam in the bottom of the third inning.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre widened the gap to 7-1 with three runs in the fourth. Andy Cannizaro led off with a walk, and Raul Chavez and Brett Gardner followed with bunt singles.
Cannizaro scored when Kevin Thompson was hit by a pitch. Chavez later scored on a sacrifice fly by Reese, and Gardner came home on a throwing error by the Knights.
“We’re getting some good pitches to hit,” said Reese, who led the Yankees with five RBI. “I knew I had a home run when I saw the right-fielder looking up.”
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (56-43) got a solid effort from Chase Wright, who limited the Knights (47-56) to one run on two hits in three innings of relief.
Reese, who has hit safely in 13 of 15 games, says the Yankees’ success is the result of a total team effort.
“We can’t replace Andy Phillips and Shelley Duncan, but we’re all making contributions,” Reese said. “If guys keep getting on base and we continue to play like we’re playing now, anything can happen.
“We could be really scary.”
NOTES: Matt DeSalvo’s second stint with New York was brief. DeSalvo, who started for the Yankees in their victory over Tampa Bay in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, was optioned back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday… The Yankees recalled left-handed reliever Sean Henn to take DeSalvo’s place on the roster. Henn pitched in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay.
In another move, New York signed veteran pitcher Scott Williamson to a minor league contract and assigned him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Williamson, 31, is an eight-year major league veteran. He was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1999 with Cincinnati.
Sunday’s attendance of 13,310 marked the 13th sellout of the season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
UP NEXT
NEXT GAME: 7 p.m. vs. Charlotte
PITCHERS: The Yankees’ Phil Hughes (RHP, 2-1, 3.94 ERA) vs. Charlotte’s Gavin Floyd (RHP, 7-3, 3.19 ERA).
RADIO: With Kent Westling. THE GAME (1280-AM, 1340-AM,1400-AM, 1590-AM).
ON DECK: Louisville comes to PNC Field on Tuesday for a four-game series against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.