Albert Pujols

Battle of L.A.: Pujols falls to Pederson in Home Run Derby semis

Published Jul. 13, 2015 10:34 p.m. ET

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Albert Pujols looked like a man amongst boys in Monday's Home Run Derby in Cincinnati.

Such was the case because Pujols, at 35 years old, was the oldest participant in the Derby field.

Clearly, though, old age isn't relevant when it comes to Pujols, who slugged a 427-foot buzzer-beating home run in the first round to beat Chicago Cubs 23-year-old rookie phoenom Kris Bryant.

With Angels bench coach Dino Ebel pitching, Pujols finished the first round with the lowest score (10) of all the advancing sluggers.

Waiting in the second round, the semifinal round, was Los Angeles Dodgers rookie centerfielder Joc Pederson. 

The battle of Los Angeles was set, and it turned out to be even better than expected.

Pederson stepped to the plate first and started slow. As part of the new derby format, each player is allowed a 45 second time out during each round. It wasn't until then did Pederson turn it on, slugging six home runs in seven swings in a 30-second span to finish with 12.

But it wasn't meant to be for Pujols, despite starting the semifinal round with three home runs on his first three swings. Looking tired and frustrated, Pujols only fell one homer short of Pederson, who advance to the final round to face the eventual winner, Reds third baseman Todd Frazier, in front of the hometown fans.

The new-look derby was everything we hoped for and more. For the first time in a long time, the Home Run Derby provided thrills and chills, with some of Major League Baseball's best and brightest stars in the field.

Hopefully the awesomeness we saw at Great American Ballpark on Monday night spurs more stars into the 2016 field -- attention Mike Trout and Bryce Harper!

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Albert Pujols

Los Angeles Angels

Major League Baseball