March 28, 2024

Cespedes steals show from All-Stars, wins HR Derb

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes certainly made his mark at the All-Star game — and he's not even on the roster.

Actually, it was a dent.

Oakland's second-year slugger won baseball's Home Run Derby with a dazzling display of power Monday night, becoming the first player left out of the Midsummer Classic to take home the crown.

Cespedes beat Bryce Harper 9-8 in the final round at reconfigured Citi Field, hitting the decisive drive with five swings to spare. The outfielder from Cuba flipped his bat aside and raised his left arm in triumph when he sent his 32nd homer of the night some 455 feet to center field, where it caromed off the back wall of the black batter's eye.

He was swarmed by the American League All-Stars near the third base line.

Robinson Cano, New York Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Chris Davis, Baltimore Prince Fielder, Detroit National League

Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Michael Cuddyear, Colorado Bryce Harper, Washington David Wright, New York

Tonight is the MLB All-Star Game, starting at 6:30 p.m.