Nelson Cruz did his best Josh Hamilton impersonation at the Home Run Derby in St. Louis on Monday night, but was outslugged by Prince Fielder in the end.
Cruz tied for the most first-round home runs with 11. He hit five more to advance to the finals, where he faced the Milwaukee Brewers' first baseman. And Cruz -- just like Hamilton last year -- finished second.
Fielder out-hit the Rangers outfielder 6-5 in the he finals at Busch Stadium to take home a title that St. Louis fans surely hoped would go to one of their own.
But Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard were eliminated early.
Pujols, the Cardinals' big first baseman, and Howard, who grew up in the Gateway City, were knocked out in the second round.
This year's All-Star festivities were supposed to belong to Pujols in his home ballpark. But Fielder snatched the spotlight in the annual All-Star game warm-up.
