Senzatela sends Rangers to eighth straight loss in 6-3 Rockies victory

The 2021 season has been a work in progress for Antonio Senzatela. Ever since his disastrous, seven-run, 3 1/3-inning debut against the powerhouse Dodgers, he’s been trying to get on track. After finishing April with a 5.76 ERA, the pitcher bounced back to a 3.86 in May.

Senzatela started off June allowing only one earned run in 7 1/3 innings, earning only his second win of the season in the process as the Rockies’ 6-3 victory sent the visiting Rangers to their eighth consecutive loss.

“He’s shown over the past couple years the even temperament, the self-discipline to maintain his poise — but yet, he’s as intense a competitor as we have,” manager Bud Black said. “There’s emotion in there. There’s fire in the belly that we love. But he’s grown up. We haven’t given him a lot of run support. Look at his record — 2-5 — but he’s pitched some really good games and come out with the game in the balance.”

***

NEXT UP: Rockies (22-34, 4th in NL West) vs. Rangers (22-35, 5th in AL West) | Thursday, Jun. 3 at 1:10 p.m. | COL: Austin Gomber (3-5, 4.55 ERA) vs. TEX: Mike Foltynewicz (1-5, 4.31 ERA)

***

NOTES

• Joshua Fuentes hit his fifth home run of the year as part of a 3-for-4 day with three runs scored. Following a twelve-game streak where Fuentes went 4-for-25 between May 19-30, Fuentes has started June hitting 4-for-8. “Last night, Josh got a couple of hits; tonight three more,” manager Bud Black said. “That’s a good sign.”

• Trevor Story took ground balls and batting practice on Wednesday. After an MRI that showed do significant damage, he’s expected to return to the Rockies’ lineup next Tuesday. “In my gut, I felt good about (his arm soreness),” Story explained. “I felt it was OK; just a little flared up.”

• Daniel Bard recorded his sixth save on Wednesday, and has allowed only a single run over his last 11 appearances. Bard has three blown saves on the season; the most recent of which came in the one game where he allowed that run — against San Diego as part of a doubleheader on May 12.

***

THE FINAL WORD

“We have a good defense, so put the ball low and let the defense work.” — Antonio Senzatela, who forced a dozen groundball outs in Wednesday’s win.

***

STARTING LINEUP

LF Raimel Tapia
CF Yonathan Daza
2B Ryan McMahon
1B C.J. Cron
RF Charlie Blackmon
3B Joshua Fuentes
SS Garrett Hampson
C Dom Nunez
SP Antonio Senzatela

***

INJURY WATCH

• Trevor Story (arm tightness) was pulled from the second game of a doubleheader on May 27, but a follow-up MRI revealed nothing of concern. Story is eligible to return from the IL on Jun. 8.
• Ben Bowden (strained left shoulder) was placed on the 10-day IL on May 16. He was removed from the list and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Jun. 1.
• Chris Owings (left thumb surgery) was placed on the 60-day IL in mid-April and will likely be out until the All-Star break.
• Scott Oberg (blood clots) had surgery prior to the end of Spring Training. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Mar. 27 and his season is in doubt.

***

Shawn Drotar is the host of “The Fan Late Night with Shawn Drotar;” weeknights from 10:00 p.m. to midnight — only on 104.3 The Fan

Related

The illusion that the Nuggets are a contender won’t survive the playoffsESPN gives Nuggets solid grade for DeMar DeRozan signingRockies lose ninth-straight at home, conclude 0-6 homestandJoe Sakic ‘confident’ Avs will reach deal with Cale Makar, ‘not really worried about it’Larry Walker statue unveiled at Coors FieldShedeur Sanders makes a statement in bid to earn Browns’ starting spot