Home Run Derby live updates, results, highlights from 2021 MLB dinger contest

Get ready to see some big time home runs. Back after a hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Home Run Derby returns in 2021 in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball with some of the game’s best power hitters set to take their hacks.

Of course, all eyes will be on Angels star Shohei Ohtani, who has launched 16 long balls since June 15 to take the MLB lead with 33 homers. No other player in the league has more than 28. There’s also the hometown hitter in Rockies shortstop Trevor Story and the reigning champion in Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. Both players are looking to have some historic wins — only three times has the winner of the derby been from the local team, and only twice has a batter repeated as the winner.

Fans will also watch Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini continue his sensational comeback season after beating cancer last year, along with Royals catcher Salvador Perez, who is hoping to become the first backstop to win the event, and 22-year-old Nationals phenom Juan Soto, who will try to be the youngest winner. They’ll contend with AL West sluggers Joey Gallo of the Rangers and Matt Olson of the Athletics, who have each hit the most home runs of any batter in the field since 2017.

Sporting News is tracking live updates of the Home Run Derby throughout the night.

Home Run Derby live updates, highlights from 2021 contest

8:20 p.m.: Mancini hits his third and fourth on the second and third swings back from the timeout. He’s looking comfortable now. 

8:19 p.m.: Mancini uses his timeout 53 seconds into his round. He’ll get a 30-second break in the action. 

8:18 p.m.: And we are underway. Mancini is quickly off to two home runs already. 

8:13 p.m.: This year, the format will be changed. There will be three-minute at-bats instead of four minutes in the past. 

8:02 p.m.: Think this guy is ready for the derby?

8:00 p.m.: It is time for the Home Run Derby. Without the use of a humidor at Coors Field, expect to see some home runs hit a long way. 

Home Run Derby bracket 2021

Round 1 results

Shohei Ohtani vs. Juan Soto

Salvador Perez vs. Pete Alonso

Joey Gallo vs. Trevor Story

Matt Olson vs. Trey Mancini

What time is the Home Run Derby?

Coverage of the Home Run Derby starts at 7 p.m. ET on both ESPN and ESPN2 with “Baseball Tonight” and “Baseball Tonight, Statcast Edition,” respectively. The derby itself will begin at 8 p.m. ET on the two channels, with ESPN carrying the traditional broadcast and ESPN2 providing the “Statcast Edition.”

MLB All-Star schedule

Sunday, July 11

Monday, July 12

Tuesday, July 13

Source: Read Full Article