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Orioles first baseman Chris Davis entered the All-Star break as the leading home run hitter in the major leagues, but his immense power came up short in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
After hitting eight home runs in the opening round to advance to the semifinals, his four home runs weren’t enough to land him in the finals at Citi Field in New York. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, a callus on Davis’ right hand broke open during his second round at the plate, causing him to change batting gloves, but the 27-year-old didn’t appear to overdo it as many fans had feared and downplayed the cut following the competition.
As you’d expect, several of Davis’ home runs went to the opposite field and his longest home run traveled an estimated 461 feet, according to ESPN. His eight home runs in the first round were tied for second with Washington’s Bryce Harper as Oakland outfielder Yoenis Cespedes put on a first-round show with 17 home runs. Michael Cuddyer of the Colorado Rockies was the fourth competitor to advance to the second round before Cespedes and Harper advanced to the championship round.
Cespedes prevailed over the 20-year-old Harper in the finals.
Davis tied Reggie Jackson’s American League record by clubbing 37 home runs prior to the All-Star break, which fell later this year than it typically does in most seasons. The Baltimore slugger is on pace to hit 62 homers this season, which would break Roger Maris’ AL record of 61 set in 1961.
He will bat in the cleanup spot for the AL in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
