2008 Home Run Challenge Recap
June 14, 2008
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On the eve of the Home Run Challenge Father's Day finale, 10 homers would be hit, raising the current number of home runs to 108. Kevin Youkilis would be the star of the day, leading the Boston Red Sox to victory with a dramatic solo home run in the 10th inning. As a former local college star returning to Cincinnati, Youkillis' tie breaking homer was all the more satisfying, as it was just enough to squeak out a 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds. An additional four home runs would be hit that game.
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June 13, 2008
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Playing for the first time at Angel Stadium, the Atlanta Braves were victorious over the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim 5-2. In the losing effort, Angels' outfielder and Home Run Challenge representative Torii Hunter would try keeping things close by lining a home run to deep left-center off Braves starting pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes. Hunter's home run was his second of this year's Home Run Challenge, and ninth of the season.
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June 12, 2008
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Sixteen home runs were hit in day eight of this year's Home Run Challenge (HRC), raising the total of homers to 96 thus far.
HRC player representative Mike Cameron launched his blast to deep right in the second inning, homering in his second straight game, as the Milwaukee Brewers topped the Houston Astros 9-6. Miguel Tejada would homer as well Thursday for the Astros, but his team continued their struggling ways, losing for the 11th time in their last 14 games
One inning's worth of work was all that was needed for the San Diego Padres, as they pounced on the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-0. Brian Giles began the scoring onslaught in the first inning by hitting a 3-run blast. An additional two runs would be scored that inning, as the Dodgers lost their second game in a row to their in-division rivals.
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June 11, 2008
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New York Yankee Jason Giambi swung for the cure once again Wednesday, hitting his third home run of this year's Home Run Challenge (HRC). The slugger's deep fly to right, off Oakland A's pitcher Justin Duchscherer, gave Giambi his 11th career HRC home run.
Giambi's home run, in the 8-4 loss to the A's, was his 192nd homer while with the Yankees. This ties him with Tino Martinez for 14th place on the Yankees' all-time list. It was also his 379th homer overall, moving him to 56th all-time in Major League history.
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June 10, 2008
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Two familiar faces made their presence felt Tuesday, as a total of 12 home runs were hit in day six of the Home Run Challenge (HRC). Helping the Colorado Rockies end the San Francisco Giants' seven-game road winning streak, HRC player representative Todd Helton launched his ninth career HRC homer in a 10-5 Rockies victory. |
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Boston Red Sox Manny Ramirez added to his HRC career totals in the 5th inning when he hit his 11th HRC home run against the Baltimore Orioles. The deep fly to left would not be enough, however, as the Red Sox fell to the Orioles 10-6.
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June 9, 2008
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Six home runs were launched Monday in the Home Run Challenge (HRC), including three consecutive homers by the Tampa Bay Rays, as they routed the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 13-4. |
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Coming in the second inning, Evan Longoria, Willy Aybar and Dioner Navarro would each homer off Angels' pitcher Joe Saunders. For Longoria, this is the rookie's second home run of this year's Home Run Challenge. HRC player representative, Torii Hunter would add a home run of his own for the Angels, hitting his 200th career homer and eighth this season. |
June 8, 2008
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Player representatives, Jason Giambi and Lance Berkman would both rise to the occasion Sunday by hitting home runs in the Home Run Challenge (HRC). Giambi hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth for the New York Yankees, and his team would go on to win 6-3 against the Kansas City Royals. For Giambi, this is the slugger's second homer in this year's Home Run Challenge, giving him 10 career HRC home runs to date. |
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Lance Berkman's 18th home run of the season would not be enough to lead the Houston Astros to victory, as they came up short against the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-4. Berkman is currently among the top three players in the National League in several offensive categories, including: home runs (18), RBI (51), and batting average (.372). |
June 7, 2008
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A total of 17 home runs were hit Saturday, as Major League players continue to swing for the fences in this year's Home Run Challenge. Florida Marlins would need all the runs they could muster against the Cincinnati Reds, including Louis Gonzalez's homer in the 4th inning, as the Marlins squeaked out a narrow 8-7 victory. |
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Chipper Jones continued his hot hitting ways with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, but it would not be enough, as the Atlanta Braves fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2. Batting an astounding .420 thus far, Jones' home run gives the future Hall of Famer 15 for the season. |
June 6, 2008
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More fireworks were made in day two of this year's Home Run Challenge, as a total of nine homeruns were hit Friday. To this total, the Tampa Bay Ray's levied a majority of the damage, hitting four home runs. Helping Tampa to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season, Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, Dioner Navarro and Eric Hinske would all belt homers, as the Rays stomped the Texas Rangers 12-4. |
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With one swing of the bat, Brad Hawpe would be the hero of the night for the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. Hawpe's two-run homer in a five-run eighth inning, gave the Colorado the lead for good, lifting the Rockies to a 6-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Hawpe had just been activated prior to the game off the 15-day disabled list. |
June 5, 2008
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The 2008 installment of the Home Run Challenge (HRC) began in dramatic fashion Thursday as Jason Giambi launched a walk-off, pinch-hit homerun in the ninth inning to lead the New York Yankees to a win. Giambi's homerun against the Toronto Blue Jays capped the Yankees' biggest comeback of the season, giving the "Bronx Bombers" a 9-8 victory. This gives Giambi nine career home runs for the Home Run Challenge. |
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Baltimore Oriole Nick Markakis would also throw his hat into the Home Run Challenge Thursday, hitting a 2-run shot against the Minnesota Twins. Markakis' home run would be just enough to lead the O's to a 3-2 victory. |
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