Kyle Schwarber falls to Albert Pujols in first round of Home Run Derby

In an early-round upset, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber lost in the first round of the 2022 Home Run Derby to future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols.

Schwarber, the No. 1 seed, matched the 42-year-old Pujols’ 13 home runs. The two went to a one-minute swing-off where Pujols hit seven home runs. Schwarber fell just short, hitting just six home runs. His farthest home run traveled 470 ft.

The Dodger Stadium crowd was clearly pulling for Pujols, a former Dodger who was competing in his fifth and final Derby of this career. Many expected Schwarber to easily beat out the veteran Pujols, but it appears Schwarber didn’t bring his home run swing to Los Angeles.

We thinkin big picture … save em for the rest of the season !!😂😭

— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) July 19, 2022

Pujols will face the Nationals’ Juan Soto in the semifinals. The Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez faces two-time defending champion Pete Alonso of the New York Mets.

Schwarber will play in the All-Star Game tomorrow night. He’s the Phillies only representative in LA as Bryce Harper did not attend the festivities.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

1. Phillies 2022 Walk-Up Songs
2. Justin Crawford, Son of Carl Crawford, Says He’s Too Young To Remember 2008 World Series
3. Phillies Announce Plans For New Scoreboard In 2023
4. Pirates ‘Unlikely’ To Trade Potential Phillies Target Bryan Reynolds
5. Juan Soto Declines 15-Year Offer From Nationals, Team Willing To Listen To Trade Proposals
6. J.T. Realmuto Explains Decision To Not Getting Vaccinated, Miss Toronto Series
7. The 2022 Phillies’ Midterm Report Card
8. Bryce Harper Says He Will Return In 2022; Declines To Offer Timetable
9. Could Nolan Arenado Really Usurp Mike Schmidt As The Greatest 3B Ever?
10. For Mark Appel, ‘All Of This Is Gravy’