Antonio Senzatela settles into rhythm in return from Rockies’ COVID-injured list

All Antonio Senzatela needed was 1 crippled back.

The large right-hander, retired of big-league enactment since the all-star break, returned to the Rockies rotation Thursday successful their 6-5 triumph implicit the Cubs astatine Coors Field.

Over 4 2/3 innings, helium struck retired six, each successful succession, starting with Sergio Alcantara successful the second. He finished with 8 strikeouts, his astir successful a commencement since June 8.

He cruised done 4 innings, up until a crumbling 5th wherever helium gave up 4 runs, each earned. That began with Wilson Contreras stroking a slider for a line-drive deed disconnected the halfway tract wall.

“The shot started climbing up a spot successful the 4th and 5th inning,” manager Bud Black said. “… I’m assuming helium got a small tired.”

Black said helium thought it was a operation of exhaustion and the 89-degree vigor that affected Senzatela’s execution successful the 5th inning. But Senzatela insisted helium wasn’t bushed astatine each and felt “really good.”

“I deliberation I conscionable missed a mates pitches, and they got lucky,” helium said. “Everything’s moving truly good.”

Senzatela, 26, appeared successful 1 insignificant league commencement July 31 earlier returning to the majors, tossing 4 scoreless innings with 3 hits, 3 strikeouts and nary walks. He threw 40 pitches, followed by an other 20 successful the bullpen for other limb spot practice. On Thursday, helium threw 75.

“We’re into August, truthful he’s got a batch of innings nether his loop and a batch of pitches,” Black said. “But overall, I thought helium threw the shot successful a bully agelong there.”

Senzatela importantly improved implicit the past 2 years, astir notably rebounding from a 6.71 ERA successful 2019 to a 3.44 ERA successful 2020. In 2021, the Rockies expected adjacent much from him, but a close groin strain successful May and clip connected the COVID-IL acceptable him back.

But, Thursday’s commencement was a large mode for Senzatela to summation momentum and play his mode into the rotation erstwhile again.

“He’s been disconnected for a mates weeks and coming backmost from the virus, truthful it was understandable if helium was (tired), but I inactive thought helium was making pitches,” Black said.

On Deck

Marlins RHP Sandy Alcantara (6-9, 3.12 ERA) astatine Rockies RHP Germán Márquez (9-8, 3.51)

6:40 p.m. Friday, Coors Field

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Márquez, a first-time all-star, volition marque his 23rd commencement and 13th astatine Coors Field. In his past appearance, Márquez needed lone 14 pitches to onslaught retired 3 Padres hitters successful succession successful the 4th inning. He besides blasted a 418-foot homer to halfway field, the 2nd location tally of his five-year career. The right-hander is 4-1 with a 1.53 ERA implicit his past 7 location starts. He ranks 3rd successful the National League successful prime starts with 15. Miami’s Alcantara had a ascendant show successful his archetypal commencement of August successful the Marlins’ nonaccomplishment to the New York Yankees connected Aug. 1. He pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing conscionable 2 hits and a locomotion successful a no-decision. He matched a season-high with 10 strikeouts. Alcantara, 25, has started 2 games successful his vocation vs. the Rockies, going 1-1 with a 1.20 ERA. Over the 2 games, helium pitched 15 innings, striking retired 8 and walking four. Friday marks his 2nd crippled astatine Coors Field. In his archetypal outing, helium pitched 7 innings but took the loss.

Trending: Raimel Tapia extended his hitting streak to 9 games with a 2-for-5 outing. Tapia is 17-for-40 with 4 doubles and 4 RBIs during the streak.

At issue: Catcher Dom Nunez deed 1-for-3 with a locomotion connected Thursday, but for the play he’s inactive hitting .172.

Pitching probables

Saturday: Marlins LHP Jesus Luzardo (3-4, 6.70) astatine Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (8-6, 4.04), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM

Sunday: Marlins TBD astatine Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-6, 4.46), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM

Monday: Off