CAZANA IMPRESSIVE AFTER FIRST WEEK IN MONCLOVA

If it's indeed true that nothing lasts like a first impression, Monclova Acereros outfielder Amaury Cazana may rival Dale Carnegie in his seemingly newfound ability to make new lifelong friends (while influencing ballgames in a way old Dale never could have).

In six games after being swapped by Minatitlan to Monclova in exchange for fellow flychaser Freddy Guzman, Cazana has hit safely in each contest for the Acereros, going 13-for-25 for a batting average of .520 (making it a .341 average in 32 games for both the Petros and Monclova overall). Still, it’s WHEN the former Cardinal farmhand got his hits that earned attention.

After going 3-for-4 with three RBIs for his April 26 Acereros debut, the Cuban product really got going. One night later against the Pericos, Cazana hit a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth to hand Monclova a 6-5 win over Puebla. On the 28th, another Cazana safety in the bottom of the 11th drove in Antonio Llamas with another game-winning hit in an 8-7 triumph over the Pericos. Then, on April 29, Cazana completed his walkoff trifecta with yet another clutch single in the bottom of the ninth in Monclova’s 6-5 win over Oaxaca.

Just wait’ll he gets more comfortable in his new surroundings and meets some people.