Davis hits eight home runs in first round (Davis tears callous on hand)

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hit eight home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby tonight at Citi Field, putting him in second place behind Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes, who belted 17 and mixed in plenty of tape-measure shots. The top four advance. There are three more hitters coming up. Michael Cuddyer hit seven, Pedro Alvarez six and Prince Fielder five. The Nationals' Bryce Harper is up next. Orioles coach Einar Diaz pitched to Davis and received a hug from the majors' home run leader once the round was over. Davis naturally homered to all fields, as he's done during the first half of the season. His longest blast was measured at 451 feet. For every home run Davis hits tonight, the Orioles announced that they will discount $1 for all field level tickets for games against the Astros on July 30-Aug. 1 and Mariners on Aug. 2-Aug. 4. Field level tickets include field box (normally $55-60), lower box ($45) and left field lower box ($30). There's a maximum discount is $25. Tickets are limited to six per household. Fans must use the coupon code "CRUSH" to activate this discount approximately 15 minutes after the Home Run Derby. This offer will end no later than Thursday, July 18 at 11:59 p.m. or while supplies last. Update: Davis advanced to the second round along with Cespedes, Harper (eight) and Cuddyer. Diaz better be icing his arm. Update II: Davis hit only four home runs in the second round and was eliminated. The two players with the highest cumulative totals advance to the final round. Cuddyer hit eight in the second round, giving him 15. Cespedes had 17 in the first round. Davis finished with 12. Davis' night isn't over. He'll carry the pickup truck to whatever fan wins it. Update III: ESPN's Buster Olney told viewers that Davis broke open a callous in the middle of his right hand during one of his swings in the second round. Davis has a towel wrapped around his hand. It's no where near as serious as a strained oblique, but I'm sure that manager Buck Showalter is shaking his head. He was worried about Davis sustaining some sort of an injury. A bloody callous shouldn't keep him from playing on Friday when the Orioles resume their season, but it's a reminder that the Derby can do more than mess up a swing.