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.

Mexican League results of Wednesday, Apr. 27, 2011

MONCLOVA 6-11-0, Puebla 5-9-1
W-Cabrera (3-3). L-Ramirez (2-1).
Amaury Cazana (pictured) wins game for Acereos with walkoff 2-run single one day after being traded from Minatitlan for Freddy Guzman.

Oaxaca 10-14-1, LAGUNA 4-11-2
W-Moreno (4-1). L-Garcia (1-5).
Guerreros score game’s first 9 runs as Noe Becerra doubles, homers and drives in 2 runs behind starter Victor Moreno (7 IP, 2 R).

MINATITLAN 3-9-0, Campeche 2-7-0
W-Martinez (4-0). L-Sandoval (1-2).
Campeche’s Ruben Rivera whacks 2-run homer in 1st, but Petros’ Juan Martinez and four relievers toss shutout rest of way.

REYNOSA 13-13-0, Mexico City 6-13-1
W-Mejia (1-0). L-Ramirez (3-2).
Liga ERA leader Roberto Ramirez (1.1 IP, 8 R) shelled as Broncos’ Adan Munoz and Willis Otanez homer during 11-run 2nd inning.

MONTERREY 8-9-0, Saltillo 2-6-6
W-Castellanos (1-0). L-Villalobos (2-4).
Luis Alfonso Garcia raps bases-clearing double in 4th and Sultanes score 4 unearned runs as Saltillo commits 6 errors in field.

VERACRUZ 7-8-1, Tabasco 6-14-1
W-Acevedo (5-0). L-Madero (0-2).
Aguilas’ Victor Diaz, Francisco Mendez and Manuel Bobadilla hit consecutive homers off Francisco Madero in 4th.

QUINTANA ROO 9-16-0, Yucatan 6-11-0
W-Campillo (1-3). L-Castro (2-3).
Carlos Gastelum goes 4-for-6 with 3 RBIs and Doug Clark homers to lead Jorge Campillo’s first win of year for Tigres.

HERMOSILLO ON THE BRINK OF ELIMINATION

Postseason expectations were high in Hermosillo as the Naranjeros entered the Mexican Pacific League playoffs looking for a second straight pennant. Those hopes are looking dimmer after Obregon parlayed a 7-3 win Wednesday night into a 3-games-to-1 lead in their first round series. Agustin Murillo and Doug Clark belted homers for the Yaquis while starter Francisley Bueno pitched 6.2 innings for the win.

The Culiacan Tomateros completed a four-game sweep of Mazatlan to punch their ticket to the Mex Pac semifinals with a 5-3 win over the Venados in Mazatlan. Culiacan starter Oliver Perez had problems finding the plate with six walks in 4.2 innings, but let in just one run. An Amaury Cazana (pictured) grand slam in the fourth was the difference-maker for the Tomateros as Jose Silva earned his fourth straight save.

Guasave tied their series with Los Mochis at two games each with an 8-4 win in Mochis. Mario Valenzuela and Japhet Amador each whacked two-run homers for the Algodoneros, who roughed up Caneros starter Alberto Castillo (the LMP regular season wins leader with 9) for five runs in 4.2 innings.

Both Obregon and Mochis will host games Thursday night as Culiacan rests up for the semis.