Rays Winter Ball Recap: Daniel Mayora Stays Hot

A lot of former major leaguers, or players who have been stuck in the minor leagues, tend to use the winter leagues as a place to show that they still have something to offer a major league club. That all they need is an opportunity, and they can be productive players. Right now, Daniel Mayora is doing everything he can to look to get that chance from some team.

Arizona Fall League: Glendale Desert Dogs 8, Salt River Rafters 6

The game started off well for Rays prospect Grayson Garvin. He held the desert Dogs scoreless over the first three innings, and was staked to a 2-0 lead when fellow Rays farmhands Todd Glaesmann and Richie Shaffer drove in runs. However, things fell apart in the bottom of the fourth, as Glendale loaded the bases with no outs. Max Kepler doubled to tie the game, and a groundout and an error brought in two more runs. Glendale added another run in the fifth, but the Rafters fought back, cutting the lead to one in the top of the sixth on a run scoring double play and a solo home run by Dustin Garneau. However, Glendale put the game away in the bottom of the inning, scoring three times. Pratt Maynard hit a two run home run to highlight the outburst. Consecutive triples for Kyle Parker and Stephen Piscotty cut the lead to two, but the Rafters would not get any closer in the eventual 8-6 loss. Garvin took the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and three walks, striking out four. Merrill Kelly gave up a run in his inning of work. Glaesmann continued his early struggles, going 0-3 with an RBI, a walk and two strikeouts. Shaffer was 1-3 with an RBI in the loss.

Venezuelan Winter League: Leones del Caracas 11, Caribes de Anzoategui 2

No one would fault even the most ardent of Rays fans if the name Daniel Mayora did not ring a bell. After all, he never got past AAA, playing 51 games for Durham in 2011. However, despite his relative obscurity, he is putting on a clinic with the bat in the early stages of the VWL. Mayora homered for the second consecutive night, a two run shot in the second, that began a streak of five consecutive innings where Caracas scored at least two runs. He added an RBI double in the third for what proved to he the eventual game winning run, as the Leones ran away from Anzoategui 11-2. Overall, Mayora was 2-5 with a home run, a double, three runs scored and two RBIs. If he is able to continue to hit at this type of prodigious rate, Mayora could well find himself with an invitation to a major league camp. Danny Dorn also had an excellent game for Caracas, going 3-3 with a double, a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored.

Navegantes del Magallanes 3, Aguilas del Zulia 2

Magellanes took advantage of an excellent pitching performance over the first eight innings, as Zulia was able to get only four hits off starter Mitch Lively. Ezequiel Carrera hit a solo home run in the fourth to put the Navegantes on the board, and Frank Diaz added an RBI double in the sixth to extend the lead. A solo home run from Mario Lisson appeared to be the final nail in the coffin, as Zulia headed to the bottom of the ninth down by three runs. Down to their final out, the Aguilas rallied against reliever Anthony Lerew. After consecutive singles put runners on first and third, Lerew appeared to be out of the inning with a ground ball to third. However, Adonis Garcia was unable to make the play, leading to a run. A hit batter loaded the bases, and a wild pitch brought Zulia within a run. Yoel Hernandez was able to get the final out, as pinch hitter Adrian Sanchez grounded out to short to end the game. The only former Ray to make an appearance was Erold Andrus, who came in as a defensive substitution in the seventh. He went 0-1 in the game.