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East beats West in All-Star Game in sudden death home run derby

Chris Betts win second Home Run Derby in as many days
June 19, 2019

South Bend, IN: The brand-new All-Star Game rule that was talked about in a big way before the night started actually came true on Tuesday night for the 2019 Midwest League All-Star Game from Four Winds Field. After being tied at 3-3 after nine innings of play, public address announcer

South Bend, IN: The brand-new All-Star Game rule that was talked about in a big way before the night started actually came true on Tuesday night for the 2019 Midwest League All-Star Game from Four Winds Field. After being tied at 3-3 after nine innings of play, public address announcer Gregg Sims announced that the game would be decided by a sudden death home run derby. 

Each team picked one representative to try and hit as many home runs as possible in a 90 second time period. For the west, Manager Erick Almonte selected Kane County's Blaze Alexander. For the East, it was an easy decision for Buddy Bailey as he picked the home run derby champion from last night Chris Betts. 
Betts started at catcher for the East in the 55th installment of the Midwest League's Midsummer Classic. His night started with catching a 1-2-3 top of the 1st inning from East starter Josh Winckowski. 
It was also an early lead for the East All-Stars as in the bottom of the 2nd inning Ulrich Bojarski hit a deep drive into left field with the bases loaded. Short of a grand slam, Bojarski still brought in a run on a sac fly for the 1-0 East lead. 
The West quickly grabbed the lead back in the 4th inning when Clinton's Jerar Encarnacion smashed a two-run home run over the right field wall for the 2-1 lead. However, that was answered immediately by the East on a double from Great Lakes' Miguel Vargas and another sac fly RBI for West Michigan's Bojarski.
The East led 3-2 heading to the 5th. After that point, the pitching took over as the club's bullpens combined to toss six straight scoreless innings. In the 8th, the West started one final comeback bid as Delvin Perez reached first on a fielder's choice, and then hustled to second on a throwing error. 
Perez then stole third and scored after the ball was thrown into left field. It was a 3-3 ballgame going to the 9th. Neither team picked up much in their half of the 9th, so the game went to the sudden death derby. 
Alexander, who did not participate in last night's Derby, hit just one home run in his 90 seconds of allotted time. Betts came up as the heavy favorite and looked to hit his first home run about halfway through. According to video review, it did not hit over the yellow line in right field and he had to step back in. 
 Betts crushed his first one deep over the right field wall near the pole and then demolished his game winner. Like last night, he threw the bat a mile in the air and was mobbed by his teammates near the pitcher's mound. It was a perfect end to such an exciting couple of days. 
 To all players, coaches, staff members, and fans, enjoy the rest of the All-Star Break!