Cano turns on the power

All-Star notebook

July 12, 2011|By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Adrian Gonzalez is congratulated by David Ortiz (left) after Gonzalez… (Jeff Haynes/Reuters )

PHOENIX - The Home Run Derby came down to the Red Sox against the Yankees. Robinson Cano won this chapter of the great rivalry, edging Adrian Gonzalez at Chase Field last night.

Gonzalez went first and tied the final-round record with 11. But Cano responded by going one better to claim his first title in the event.

Gonzalez first tried the Derby in 2009 and was eliminated in the first round, hitting two. But this time he put on a show, slugging 31 on the night. But that was not enough to top Cano.

“It wasn’t Red Sox against Yankees, we were all American League East,’’ Gonzalez said. “That was a lot of fun. You have to enjoy yourself in this kind of thing.’’

In the final round, Gonzalez hit five consecutive home runs at one point. But his final four swings produced outs as he seemed to run out of gas. The competition lasted more than three hours.

Cano made outs on two of his first three swings in the final round, but then he started to connect, drilling seven homers in his next nine swings. Cano took a timeout after hitting his 11th, then walked to the plate. His next swing won it as the American League team rejoiced.

Cano had his father, 49-year-old Jose Cano, pitching to him. The elder Cano spent eight seasons in pro ball, appearing in six games for the Houston Astros in 1989. Father and son embraced after his victory.

“I saw what Adrian did, and I told myself to stay positive,’’ Cano said. “My father kept telling me that I could do it, and I believed him.’’

Gonzalez had Indians manager Manny Acta throw to him.

Gonzalez, Cano, David Ortiz, and Prince Fielder of the Brewers advanced to the second round of the eight-man competition.

Gonzalez hit 11 to advance to the final, giving him 20 in the first two rounds. Cano also hit 20, 12 coming in the second round. Ortiz, the defending champion, finished with nine, as did Fielder.

The nine homers gave Ortiz a career event total of 77, breaking the record of 74 held by Ken Griffey Jr.

Toronto slugger Jose Bautista, the major league leader with 31 homers at the break, had only four in the first round. But that was better than Milwaukee’s Rickie Weeks (three) and Matt Kemp of the Dodgers (two).

The event included a team competition for the first time, with the AL winning easily, 76-19.

“I guess I made the right choices,’’ said Ortiz, captain of the AL squad. “ Tito [ Francona], look out, I’m going for your job.’’

Lester optimistic Jon Lester, a late addition to the AL roster for tonight’s All-Star Game, cannot pitch because of a strained left lat muscle that landed him on the disabled list.

But the Sox lefthander elected to attend the game anyway, deciding the experience would be fun to share with wife Farrah and 1-year-old son Hudson.