Florida Gators in MLB: Darren O’Day Dominant

It was somewhat of a tough week for the Florida Gators in MLB. Many of them struggled, but one was back to dominance. Darren O’Day put together a scoreless week, lowering his ERA to back under 1.00. 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 18 innings, giving up just 13 hits and f0ur runs (two earned), but he’s struck out 24 batters, and has notched two saves. The past week saw Chapman adding 2 2/3 innings, only allowing two hits and one unearned run while striking out two. He lowered his ERA to an impressive 1.00 since joining the Redhawks.

OF Matt den Dekker (2007-2010), New York Mets
Matt den Dekker finally made it to the big leagues after an impressive stint in the minors. With the Las Vegas 51s (Triple-A), den Dekker hit .269 with four homers, 26 RBI, and 32 runs scored. He added eight at-bats this past week, getting his first hit and run of the season. He took with Eric Young‘s spot when he landed 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 have since optioned him to the minors where he’s compiled a 3-5 record with a 4.56 ERA. In 51 1/3 innings, DeSclafani has struck out 46.

INF Mark Ellis (1996-1999), St. Louis Cardinals
Ellis went hitless in eight at-bats. He walked once. Ellis have been struggling, hitting only .165 with two doubles and nine RBI on the season.

INF Cole Figueroa (2007-2008), Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays optioned Figueroa to Triple-A Durham Thursday to make room for Ben Zobrist. During his time in the majors, he hit .250 with a double, RBI, and run scored.

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. He hasn’t fared much better in the minor with control being an issue. He’s walked 17 in 12 1/3 innings pitched. Maronde’s allowed 12 runs on 13 hits, posting a 8.76 ERA in time split between Triple-A Salt Lake City and Double-A Arkansas.

RHP Darren O’Day (2003-2006), Baltimore Orioles
O’Day got back to his dominant self this past week. In two innings, he allowed one hit, one strikeout, and walked two. O’Day is 2-0 with two saves and a 0.82 ERA.

INF Ryan Raburn (2000), Cleveland Indians
Raburn continued to hit this past week, hitting .333 in nine at-bats. He had two of those hits in last Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

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 pitched three innings this week, striking out four and allowing a run on two hits.

C David Ross (1998), Boston Red Sox
Ross got some run this past week. In 12 ABs, he got two hits, including a double, an RBI, and run scored. His averaged last week matches his season average of .167.

C Mike Zunino (2010-2012), Seattle Mariners
Zunino hit his seventh homer of the season against the LA Angels en route to a 4-for-23 week. He added a double, four RBI, two runs scored, and two walks throughout the week. Zunino had two multiple-hit games this past week, but they were the only two games in which he got hits.

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