Davidson Wins 2013 IGT Home Run Derby

Matt Davidson, the home town favorite, hit four home runs in the final round of the 2013 IGT Home Run Derby at Aces Ballpark to defeat Brock Peterson of the Memphis Redbirds in front of 8,254 fans.

The Reno Aces star third baseman backed up his MVP performance Monday night at the MLB All-Star Futures Game with a barrage of blasts to capture the Home Run Derby crown as representative of the Pacific Coast League. Davidson totaled 10 homers; four in the first round, two in the second and four more in the finals. Pitching to Davidson was fellow Aces All-Star Chris Owings.

Peterson led all sluggers with 11 total swats including seven in the first round and two more in the second round to advance to face Davidson in an all-PCL final. He failed to hit a home run in the finals through his first nine outs, but made things interesting by crushing back-to-back homers with one out to come within two of Davidson. He then lined out to left to end the threat for the final out. PCL All-Star skipper Brett Butler served as the pitcher for Peterson.

Local contestant Kody Reynolds of McQueen High School who qualified through a series of derby competitions held throughout the season advanced to the second round by hitting four bombs in the first round. He added one more in the second round for a total of five in the competition.

The fourth player to advance to the second round was Ernesto Mejia of the Gwinnett Braves who edged out Mauro Gomez of the Buffalo Bisons in 5-out playoff after both hit two first-round home runs. After Gomez failed to record a long ball in the playoff, Mejia hit a 2-out shot to advance to round two. Mejia added another two homers in the second round, but his total of four was not enough to advance.

Johnny Monell of the Fresno Grizzlies and Chris Colabello of the Rochester Redwings did not advance past the first round. The International League hitters failed to defend the Home Run Derby crown previously held by Valentino Pascucci who won the contest last year in Buffalo.

Still to come in Reno is the Dolan Auto Group Triple-A All-Star Game to be televised live on MLB Network Wednesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. PST.