How did Texas Rangers slugger Adolis Garcia perform in the Home Run Derby?
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ The Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia faced off against fellow Cuban and friend Randy Arozarena in the first round of the 2023 Home Run Derby on Monday night in Seattle.
Arozarena, a left-fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays, roomed with Garcia when both players were members of the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league organization.
Their friendship has endured since their time with the Cardinals. Garica is the godfather to Arozarena’s daughter and the two refer to each other as brothers.
Garcia lost his first-round matchup to Arozarena in the first round, 24-17. Garcia appeared torun out of gas near the end of his round of hitting as he had no home runs in the last 30 seconds.
Other quarterfinals
▪ Adley Rutschman vs. Luis Robert Jr.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutchman started the matchup batting left-handed while his father delivered the pitches. He then delighted the crowd when he switched sides of the plate for the last 30 seconds and hit seven home runs in his last eight pitches. He finished with 27 home runs.
White Sox outfielder Robert Jr. went next and easily hit 28 home runs to eliminate Rutschman without needing the full allotted time.
▪ Mookie Bets vs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
▪ Julio Rodríguez vs. Pete Alonso
Seattle Mariner and hometown star Julio Rodríguez put on a show, hitting 41 home runs in front of a frenzied crowd.
The New York Mets’ first baseman and two-time home run derby champion lost his preferred pitcher to an arm injury and only hit 21 home runs.
Semifinals
▪ Luis Robert Jr. vs. Randy Arozarena
Arozarena came out firing in the second round, smashing 35 home runs and became the first Rays player to advance to the finals. Robert Jr. hit 21 home runs and was eliminated.
▪ Julio Rodríguez vs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Rodríguez started the semifinal round off first to a standing ovation from the fans, but he couldn’t replicate his first round He hit only 20 home runs.
Guerrero played the spoiler ,hitting 21 home runs to eliminate Rodríguez
Finals
▪ Vladimir Guerrero Jr vs. Randy Arozarena
Guerrero had to hit back-to-back, but still managed to hit 25 home runs in the final round. Arozarena got a long break but couldn’t capitalize and hit 23 home runs in his final round.
Guerrero and his hall of fame father Vlad Guerrero Sr. became the only father-son duo to win the home run derby in MLB history.
This story was originally published July 10, 2023 at 7:48 PM.
