California League: Bleeding for the Home Run Derby

Municipal Stadium set the scene for this year’s California-Carolina League All-Star Game (Jen Mac Ramos)

In a field of six for the California-Carolina League All-Star Game’s Home Run Derby, one from each league advanced to the final round.

For the Carolina League, the Lynchburg Hillcats’ Robby Hefflinger finished the first round with seven. On the California League side, the San Jose Giants’ Angel Villalona hit five.

In a contest where home runs count as two before the 10th out, Villalona hit the deepest one for his 8th and 9th home runs at approximately 390 feet. He finished the second round with nine.

But nine wasn’t enough to win it for Villalona. Not even getting to the 10th out, Hefflinger, batting second in the final round, hit 10 home runs to win the contest.

Home Run Derby announcer and Comcast SportsNet California’s Brodie Brazil noted to the crowd, “You’re bleeding. You’re bleeding in the Home Run Derby.”

Which is apparently what it takes to win.

California League falls to Carolina League in All-Star Game

To say it was an ugly game for the California League might seem like an understatement.

With four errors on the night and two five-runs-allowed innings where the Carolina League batted around, the California League trailed 12-1 by the 5th inning. The Cal League eventually fell to a final score of 12-2.

Hefflinger, the Home Run Derby champion, was named the MVP for the Carolina League. On the California League side, Lake Elsinore Storm catcher Robert Kral was named their All-Star MVP for his home run in the third inning.