AP, PITTSBURGH, PennsylvaniaJosh Bell is not worried about the Home Run Derby messing with the considerable mojo he has built during his breakout season. Bell is pumped for the chance to step into the batter’s box and swing for the fences with everyone in baseball watching. The first-time All-Star on Monday smashed three home runs to boost his season total to 25, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to an 18-5 rout of the Chicago Cubs. Bell almost singlehandedly carried the injury-ravaged Pirates through May, when he smacked a dozen home runs on his way to being selected National League Player of the Month. Bell became the 20th Pirates player to hit three home runs in a game and the first left-handed batter to do it since Hall of Famer Willie Stargell in 1971.

Source: Taipei Times July 02, 2019 16:01 UTC