Columbus Ks Braddock

The Columbus Explorers had a rough go of it to start the 2016 campaign, losing three tightly-contested games to start the season. They went on to win three straight and on Thursday they ended up on the right side of one of those close games by beating the Braddock Bulldogs 1-0 to extend their streak to four. To make matters even better, their latest victory came against a district rival, improving their 9A-15 record to a perfect 3-0.

Some games can be summed up with a sentence, others with a word. This one could be summarized with just one letter: K. Columbus starter Andres Arguelles squared off against the Bulldogs’ Nelson Alvarez and when the smoke cleared, the two had racked up an astonishing 25 strikeouts. Osvaldo Fernandez tallied three more in relief for Braddock, while Dominick Diaz tacked on another for the visiting Explorers to run the total to 29.

“Andy was awesome today,” Columbus manager Joe Weber commented on his ace. “He pounded the strike zone and got ahead of the hitters. That’s 13 straight innings without giving up a run.”

Arguelles, who worked six full, accounted for 13 of those Ks. He gave up four hits, none for extra-bases, and walked one on his way to victory.

The Columbus bats gave Arguelles all the run support he needed in the third inning. Michael Navarette’s one-out double set the table for Hernen Sardinas, who knocked him in with a single into right field.

For Braddock, Alvarez also worked six innings. He struck out the side in order twice en route to 12 strikeouts of his own while walking two and allowing five hits.

The loss drops the Bulldogs to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the district.

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