Home Run Derby Scores Out of the Park Ratings

• Jul 16, 2008 01:02 AM ET
• by Richard1211

Josh Hamilton wasn't the only one putting up big numbers at Monday's Home Run Derby. ESPN scored 6.78 million viewers to baseball's annual All-Star Game prelude, a 35 percent increase from last year.

The Texas Rangers outfielder blasted 28 homers in the first round, improving on the 2005 best of 24, set by Bobby Abreu. Taxed by the effort, Hamilton lost to Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins in the final, but not before winning over the crowd.