Luis Robert Jr. displays defense and power for Chicago White Sox in 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies

Chicago Tribune

4 days ago

Chicago White Sox starter Davis Martin said he walked over to Luis Robert Jr. after Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies and gave the center fielder a hug.
Martin told him, 'If that's the last game we play together, that was awesome. You making those plays.'
Robert showed why he has been mentioned in trade speculation, displaying defense and power for the Sox in a 6-2 victory in front of 15,106 at Rate Field.
The MLB trade deadline is Thursday. In English, Robert said he's handling the next few days, 'day by day.'
He added through an interpreter: 'A good amount of my friends have been sending me photos and text messages with rumors and all that stuff but I tried not to pay attention to that.'
Robert's focus remained on aiding the Sox.
In the top of the fourth inning, he made a diving catch in right-center to rob J.T. Realmuto of an extra-base hit.
'Luis making a great play kind of set the tone for the rest of the game,' said Martin, who allowed two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. Martin also made a stellar defensive play of his own, tumbling to get to a Nick Castellanos grounder before getting to his feet and throwing him out to end the fifth inning.
Robert batted with one on and two outs in the bottom of the fourth. He lofted a long fly to right. The ball kept drifting and landed over the wall for a tie-breaking two-run home run.
'At first I thought I missed it,' Robert said. 'But I think the wind carried the ball.'
Manager Will Venable added: 'That was a really good one. Luis put himself in a really good spot, continuing to take good swings on good pitches, and obviously the backside damage right there, so it was great to see.'
Robert has recently dealt with various bumps and bruises.
He returned to action Sunday as a designated hitter after missing the first two games of the City Series against the Chicago Cubs because of right adductor tightness. He was hit by a pitch in the ninth inning. X-rays on his right forearm were negative.
That did not keep him out of Monday's lineup.
'Thank God the ball hit me in the part of the arm where there's enough muscle there,' Robert said. 'Today was a little sore but nothing major.'
Additionally, he was back in center field.
The Sox fell into a hole after a two-run double by Bryce Harper in the third inning. Colson Montgomery hit a game-tying, two-run home run in the bottom of the third.
Robert put the club ahead one inning later with the 99th home run of his career.
'I think every baseball player, that's a significant amount of homers,' Robert said of possibly reaching No. 100. 'I think in my case, injuries or whatever, I haven't gotten there yet. But once I get there, that will be a very good accomplishment. I will be very happy.'
Robert has also been happy with his recent production. He's 9-for-25 (.360) with two home runs, eight RBIs and 10 runs since the All-Star break.
'I'm feeling good,' Robert said. 'Not swinging at the pitches out of the strike zone and that has been the key.'
Lenyn Sosa and Montgomery added RBI singles in the eighth as the Sox (39-68) took the opener of the three-game series.
And now Robert and his teammates wait to see what's ahead.
'Wherever he goes, he's going to make an impact — whether it's on our team this year or next year or somewhere else,' Martin said. 'He's a phenomenal baseball player. I don't know how you can't watch him play baseball and think he can't help you win at the highest level.'