Vlad Impales Rios in HR Derby Final

Angels' slugger topples Philly's Howard

By Joseph Fasano, Newser User

Posted Jul 10, 2007 4:00 AM CDT

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Vlad Impales Rios in HR Derby Final — Los Angeles Angels' Vladimir Guerrero holds up the trophy after winning the All-Star Home Run Baseball Derby in San Francisco, Monday, July 9, 2007. (AP Photo/ Eric Risberg) (Associated Press)

Anaheim's Vladimir Guerrero dethroned 2006 champ Ryan Howard in last night's Home Run Derby at China Basin, after a final-round sprint past Blue Jay Alex Rios. The righty needed only 3 dingers to bury Rios, who Fox speculates blew himself out with an record 12-blast second round.

Matt Holliday, an eleventh-hour replacement for Miguel Cabrera, was almost the ball's Cinderella: He and Vlad were locked behind Rios in the second round when the Angel connected for a 503-foot shot and a place in the final. Albert Pujols also cracked 9 in the second round; Howard struggled to get through the first with only 3. (Read more Vladimir Guerrero stories.)

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