Manny Machado eliminated in Home Run Derby

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

July 13, 2015, 5:18pm

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Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was eliminated in the first round of tonight's Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Machado hit 12 home runs with Orioles coach Einar Diaz pitching to him, the last two coming in the bonus round under the new format. But the Dodgers' Joc Pederson belted 13 home runs within the four-minute round and advanced against the Angels' Albert Pujols.

Pederson still had a minute left when No. 13 cleared the fence.

Toronto's Josh Donaldson hit nine home runs to beat the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo, who had eight. The Reds' Todd Frazier hit 14 to eliminate Prince Fielder, who launched 13.

Machado's last three home runs in his four-minute round averaged 458.7 feet, according to statcast. His longest shot measured 469 feet.

Machado wore his cap backward, reminding viewers of Ken Griffey Jr., who threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his father.

The highlight for me was Adam Jones, during a timeout, bringing Machado a bottle of Gatorade and a plate of chips with his teammate's salsa. But no championship belt for Machado.