Home Run Derby: Schwarber Loses In the Finals
Monday night, Javier Baez and Kyle Schwarber grabbed their lumber and headed to Nationals Park for the Home Run Derby. For Cubs fans, they are aware of the damage that they can do to a baseball. The rest of the world would soon see. Despite falling short, Baez and Schwarber gave the fans a show.
The two got to pick who would be throwing to them during the derby. Schwarber picked his buddy, Mike Sinicola. Sinicola played baseball at the University of Miami. Baez went with family. He chose his 27-year-old brother Gadiel.
Schwarber was the first left-handed batter to hit. He ended up launching 16 home runs in the first round. His 16 home runs just beat helped him beat Alex Bregman (15). Bregman’s teammate, Justin Verlander might have jinxed him here:
For Baez, his 16 home runs were not enough. Rookie Max Muncy topped him by one, allowing him to move on. Javy can say he hit the farthest of home run of the night (479 feet).
Schwarber had a big challenge in front of him in the second round. He faced Rhys Hoskins who had just hit 17 home runs in the first round- tied for the most. Hoskins continued that power surge by hitting another 20 in the second round. That did not scare Schwarber.
Schwarber came back in the second and hit 21 as the buzzer was about to sound to beat Hoskins.
This set up the match-up of what some hope to be future teammates. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
Schwarber hit 18 in the final round giving him a total of 55 home runs in the derby. Schwarber look as if he had it in the bag until Harper picked things up in the final minute by smashing 9 home runs to the hometown fans in the bleachers. He used his bonus time putting him ahead of Schwarber. Harper defeated Schwarber 19–18 in the final round.
Those 55 Schwarbombs were the most home runs hit of any of the participants in the derby.
Great effort by both Schwarber and Baez.
This loss continues a winless home run derby streak for Chicago. The last Cub to win the MLB Home Run Derby was Sammy Sosa in 2000.
Don’t forget to continue supporting your Cubbies tonight. Baez and Willson Contreras start for the National League team in the MLB All-Star Game. Jon Lester will be recognized as an All-Star but will not pitch since he started on Sunday.
Want to look like an All-Star? Check out the link below for all your Cubs want and needs.
