The first round of the 2013 MLB Home Run Derby is in the books. Eight players combined to hit 60 home runs, exciting New York Mets fans watching at Citi Field.
Yoenis Cespedes, Chris Davis, Bryce Harper and Michael Cuddyer all hit enough homers to qualify for the second round.
Detroit Tigers first baseman and defending champion Prince Fielder went first for the American League, and hit homers on his first two swings. The slugger finished with five homers, the same number of home runs he hit in the first round in 2012, his longest traveling 483 feet.
Cuddyer was the first NL hitter to swing, and sent his first home run over the truck in center field. The Colorado Rockies outfielder, participating in his first Home Run Derby, blasted seven homers in the first round, the farthest going 421 feet.
Cespedes stepped up to the plate after Cuddyer. The Oakland Athletics outfielder hit outs on his first two pitches, but blasted the next four pitches over the fence, all traveling over 400 feet. Cepedes put on a show in the first round, finishing with 17 homers.
Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez followed Cespedes. The left-handed hitter started slow, but found his stroke after making outs on his first four swings. Alvarez finished with six homers, his longest flying 461 feet.
Davis was the fifth hitter to swing for the fences. The Baltimore Orioles first baseman sprayed his homers to all fields, showing the power that led him to hit a league-leading 37 homers before the All-Star break. Davis blasted eight home runs, eliminating Fielder from second-round contention.
Harper hit after Davis. The Washington Nationals outfielder, also participating in his first Home Run Derby, looked unfazed by the event, smashing eight home runs. Harper's farthest home run soared 471 feet, and he eliminated Alvarez from the second round.
New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano went last for the AL. The AL captain, participating in his third straight Home Run Derby, finished the round with four homers.
Mets third baseman David Wright rounded out the first round. The home crowd gave the NL captain a nice ovation, but the third baseman could not top Cuddyer, ending the round with five homers.
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