Florida Gators in MLB: Cole Figueroa Involved in Back-to-Back Walk-Off Wins

Florida Gators in MLB Cole Figueroa had a big week of firsts. He got his first hit and RBI and also hit a walkoff double and scored the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth against the Red Sox in back-to-back nights. His performance this past week means Tampa Bay will have a tough decision when Ben Zobrist gets healthy. Matt den Dekker also made his season debut for the New York Mets. Here’s how the 11 Gators on MLB 40-man rosters fared this past week:

LHP Kevin Chapman (2007, 2009-2010), Houston Astros
The Astros optioned Chapman to Houston’s Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Redhawks April 16th. On the season in the majors, he has a 12.27 ERA in 3 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. In Triple-A, Chapman has pitched 15 1/3 innings, giving up just 11 hits and three runs (two earned), but he’s struck out 21 batters, and has notched two saves. The past week saw Chapman adding 2 1/3 innings, only allowing two hits while picking up while striking out two. He lowered his ERA to an impressive 1.17 since joining the Redhawks.

OF Matt den Dekker (2007-2010), New York Mets
Matt den Dekker finally made it to the big leagues after tearing up the minors. With the Las Vegas 51s (Triple-A), den Dekker hit .269 with four homers, 26 RBI, and 32 runs scored. In his first at-bat of the season since being called up by the New York Mets, den Dekker struck out. But look for him to get more playing time with Eric Young landing on the disabled list.

RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2008-2011), Miami Marlins
After impressing in his first major league start, DeSclafani struggled in his second start. In 5 1/3 innings, he gave up five runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. In two starts, DeSclafani went 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA and nine strikeouts. The Marlins optioned DeSclafani to Triple-A New Orleans last Wednesday, where he made one appearance. In four innings, he struck out four and didn’t allow a run. He previously pitched for Miami’s Double-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Suns, compiling a 3-4 record with a 4.19 ERA in eight starts. DeSclafani notched 38 strikeouts in 43 innings, while limiting opponents to a .278 average.

INF Mark Ellis (1996-1999), St. Louis Cardinals
Ellis got a hit and an RBI this past week for the Cardinals as he vies for playing time. He had a sacrifice fly in a 6-3 win over Cincinnati Saturday and singled the day before. Ellis went 1-for-6 with that single and RBI, as well as two walks in four games.

INF Cole Figueroa (2007-2008), Tampa Bay Rays
Figueroa rebounded from a tough debut with an exciting week. He went 3-for-8 with an RBI and run scored, including a walk-off double Friday and scoring the game-winning run Saturday. Figueroa got called up when Ben Zobrist landed on the DL with a dislocated thumb. 

LHP Nick Maronde (2009-2011), Los Angeles Angels
Maronde has been reassigned to Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. He struggled as of late, leaving the majors with a 5.68 ERA after 6 1/3 innings and appearances in 11 games. Maronde pitched 2/3 of an inning of perfect baseball this past week. With Salt Lake, Maronde has pitched 9 1/3 innings, allowing 11 hits, nine runs, 15 walks, striking out 12. He lowered his ERA to 8.68 in 10 appearances.

RHP Darren O’Day (2003-2006), Baltimore Orioles
O’Day blew a save opportunity this past week and ended up giving up only his second run of the season. In 3 1/3 innings, O’Day allowed two hits, one being the game-winning home run against the Cleveland Indians. He also struck out four and picked up the win Monday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

INF Ryan Raburn (2000), Cleveland Indians
With more playing time, Raburn continues to get his bat going. He hit .267 (4-for-15) this week, with a homer, a double, four RBI, and two runs scored. Raburn hit his first home run of the season last Tuesday against Baltimore. He raised his batting average this season into the .200s to .206.

LHP Paco Rodriguez (2010-2012), Los Angeles Dodgers
Paco has bounced back and forth between the Los Angeles and Triple-A Albuquerque. But his time lately has been spent with the Isotopes. Rodriguez has struck out 13 while allowing six runs (five earned), 11 hits, and six walks in just nine innings pitched. He’s managed to lower his ERA this past week to an even 5.00.

C David Ross (1998), Boston Red Sox
Ross got a solid 10 at-bats this past week, but he could only take advantage of one of them. His lone hit was a single against Tampa Bay in their loss to the Rays Saturday. Ross’ average dipped to .187 after a sub par week.

C Mike Zunino (2010-2012), Seattle Mariners
Zunino managed three hits this past week, but it came in 17 ABs. He hit a double and scored three runs, but only hit .176 on the week, lowering his average to .237. It was a good week for his Mariners, however, as they went 4-1 in games Z played in.

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