ARLINGTON -- With José Ramírez in the 2024 T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field, the intrigue was not just how many homers he would hit, but which side of the plate he¡¯d hit them from.

A late decision to swing lefty paid off for Ram¨ªrez, as the Guardians' superstar hitter was able to advance to the second round of the swatting showcase Monday night -- something he had been unable to do at Dodger Stadium in 2022. Ram¨ªrez tied the Phillies¡¯ Alec Bohm atop the leaderboard with 21 homers in an opening round in which the players with the top four totals advanced.

But Ram¨ªrez¡¯s run came to an end in an AL Central showdown in the second round, when he was pitted against the Royals¡¯ Bobby Witt Jr., who outdid Ram¨ªrez by a 17-12 count.

"Man, he came out victorious in this one," Ram¨ªrez said of Witt through interpreter Agustin Rivero. "He was competing in this one, and he had a hell of a competition."

Having dealt with a right thumb injury that ultimately required surgery in 2022, Ram¨ªrez was healthier for his second Derby try. And his decision to hit lefty was interesting.

Though the raw numbers -- 165 career homers from the left-hand side and 74 from the right -- indicate that Ram¨ªrez is more powerful from the left-hand side, his home run percentage from the two sides is identical -- 4.1%.

Talk about a toss-up.

But Ram¨ªrez has said before that he feels he generates more raw power from the right. That¡¯s why he batted from that side in the 2022 Home Run Derby and in dinger derbies in his native Dominican Republic.

And that was the plan Monday night -- to bat right-handed. But after taking batting practice at Globe Life Field, Ram¨ªrez opted instead to switch it up.

"When I was hitting in the cage," he explained, "things were flowing a little better from the left side."

He found success by routinely lining the ball over the wall in right-center and inside of the foul pole. His dingers weren¡¯t as deep as those of some of his peers (maxing out at 419 feet), but they were consistent -- just like this six-time All-Star.

Distance matters in this contest, though, because, in the three-out bonus period in each round, each homer of 425 feet or more buys a batter an extra out. Ram¨ªrez could have used some extra outs when he fell short against Witt.

"In the second round, I was thinking of going righty," he said, "but I stuck to the plan."

Junior Betances, a longtime coach in the Cleveland system who is currently hitting coach at Triple-A Columbus, threw to Ram¨ªrez in the Derby, as he had in 2022.

This was the seventh time a Cleveland player participated in the Derby, though none have won it. The only switch-hitter to win the Derby was co-winner Ruben Sierra of the Rangers, who tied the Reds' Eric Davis in 1989.

Ram¨ªrez said he wanted to do the Derby because of the wishes of his mother, Silveria Mateo.

"I didn¡¯t win, but I¡¯m pretty sure she saw that I did my best and competed," he said, "and that¡¯s what matters."