Wright Puts on Show at Derby to Take Lead

PITTSBURGH - Third baseman David Wright of the Mets, with teammate Paul Lo Duca on the mound, put on a show in the first round of the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night. Wright took the lead with 16 home runs, easily surpassing Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera's nine.

Wright's 16 homers was the third most ever in the first round of a derby, behind Bobby Abreu and David Ortiz in 2005, with 24 and 17.

The 23-year-old Cabrera took the lead at the All-Star Home Run Derby by pounding nine first-round home runs on Monday night.

The third hitter, Cabrera easily bested Astros first baseman Lance Berkman and Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, who hit three each.

Tejada, who hit 17 home runs in the first half, never got into a groove leading off.

Berkman, who hit 24 homers in the first half, hit the first ball into the Allegheny River, about 460 feet to right field. Berkman struggled to elevate the ball.

Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus, who was blanked in his last try at the Home Run Derby in 2001, hit a mammoth shot down the left field line for his first homer. Unfortunately, several of his other shots fell at the warning track and he finished with one. He was the first player eliminated.

The four top totals out of the eight contestants will advance to the second round.

A rule change for this year's derby may impact the result. This year, the home run total from the first round will carry over to the second round. The top two players after the first two rounds will advance to the championship round, and the slate will be wiped clean. Only home runs in that final round will determine the winner.

Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu put on a show last year in Detroit, setting a Derby mark with 41 home runs total.

The contestants coming up are White Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye; Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz; and Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard.

Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski, who hit the famous walk-off home run at Pittsburgh's old Forbes Field in the 1960 World Series, threw out the first pitch.