If there’s a language barrier between Bud Black and Rockies rookie pitcher Antonio Senzatela, it does not extend to the word “walk.” Senzatela grew up speaking Spanish in Venezuela. But he will never need that word translated.
So Black, about an hour before Thursday’s game against the visiting Nationals, started a pointed conversation with the right-hander. The topic: Do not walk batters.
“It’s a no-no,” Black said.
The issue of free passes is not a Senzatela problem, at least alone. It’s a Rockies problem. On Tuesday, 22-year-old rookie right-hander German Marquez walked Washington’s pitcher, Joe Ross, on eight pitches.