CLEVELAND (AP) – Pete Alonso didn’t have the most round-trippers in the Home Run Derby on Monday, but he hit them when it mattered.
The New York Mets rookie first baseman is $1 million richer after defeating Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the final. Needing 23 homers to beat Guerrero, Alonso connected for a homer to left-center before flipping his bat high into the air and hugging his pitcher, cousin Derek Morgan.
Guerrero lost the derby despite hitting a record 91 home runs in the three rounds compared to 57 by the winner.
Alonso disappointed the local fans by homering on his final sweep to defeat Indians first baseman Carlos Santana, 14-13. He was booed as he walked away from the plate.
Alonso repeated his walk-off magic by going deep on his last swing to beat Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., 20-19.
Guerrero advanced to the final by winning a prodigious second-round battle against Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson. They were tied after regulation and overtime before Guerrero hit two in the second three-swing run-off to beat Pederson, 40-39.
Guerrero eliminated Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman in the first round by belting 29 home runs, which was the derby record until the semifinals.
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Justin Verlander will start the All-Star Game for the American League for the second time and lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his first start for the National League. Verlander is 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA this year for the Astros, striking out 153 in 126 2/3 innings. Ryu is 10-2 with a major league-leading 1.73 ERA for the Dodgers.
Astros outfielder George Springer will lead off and play right field for the AL. He’s followed in the batting order by Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, Angels outfielder Mike Trout, Indians first baseman Carlos Santana, Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez, Houston third baseman Alex Bregman, Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez, Astros left fielder Michael Brantley and Minnesota shortstop Jorge Polanco.
Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich tops the NL order and plays left field. Cubs shortstop Javier Báez hits second, followed by Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, Dodgers right fielder Cody Bellinger, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, Pittsburgh’s Josh Bell at designated hitter, Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras, Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte and Atlanta center fielder Ronald Acuña Jr.