Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Foos win 4 Grammys, overshadowed by Houston

Guerrero swings to Home Run Derby title

Defending champ Howard goes down in first round with just three homers

Image: Vladimir GuerreroReuters
Vladimir Guerrero, center, is congratulated after hitting in the first round of the Home Run Derby.

Bonds claimed the toll from an afternoon’s swings would be too exhausting and disruptive before Tuesday’s game, when he’ll start in left field and bat second for the NL squad. The 14-time All-Star hit a handful of homers during batting practice for the thousands of fans who showed up two hours early for the derby.

The sluggers started slowly: Three batters held the first-round lead with five homers apiece, the lowest leading total in the first round since the derby went to a three-round format in 1995.

Defending champion Ryan Howard, who managed just three homers, hit a 410-foot shot that died in the 421-foot corner of right-center, prompting him to rip off his hat in mock frustration.

“It’s a tough thing to do,” Howard said of the dearth of splash hits. “I don’t think any guys were trying to yank it down there. Guys are just trying to stay with their natural swing.”

Minnesota’s Justin Morneau, Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder, Detroit’s Magglio Ordonez and Howard were eliminated in the first round.

Rios hit five consecutive homers on his last swing in the second round to finish with 17 over the first two rounds, pushing him past Colorado’s Matt Holliday. Guerrero followed with nine second-round homers to eliminate Holliday — including that 503-foot shot to a previously unexplored area.

Albert Pujols, who hasn’t homered for the Cardinals since June 14 during the longest drought of his career, finished one homer shy of the finalists.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


< Prev | 1 | 2

advertisement
More news
Milwaukee Brewers v St. Louis Cardinals - Game Four
NBC Sports
Who made the better move?

SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?

Image: Detroit Tigers v Los Angeles Dodgers
Getty Images
DeMarco: Dodgers can become power

DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.

Interactive
Rangers Spring Baseball
Maps to spring training sites
Your guide to sites in Arizona, Florida
Slideshow
Houston Astros
  Unbreakable records in baseball
A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters.
Slideshow
Image: Albert Pujols
  The top tools of baseball
You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

  Special feature