Robert shows off power, flashes leather in victory over Astros

HOUSTON -- Luis Robert Jr. did the job with his bat during a 4-2 White Sox victory over the Astros Tuesday at Daikin Park.

Robert also did the job with his glove, a combination the five-tool talent has shown off countless times over the past six years. So which discipline was more impressive on this night, as the White Sox improved to 5-2 over their last seven games?

“It was significant on both ends,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Robert’s effort. “Great to see him drive the ball a couple of times. Obviously some really big plays in the outfield and just a great day for Luis, who continues to work hard.”

“Both,” said Robert through interpreter Billy Russo. “On both ends, I helped the team.”

The White Sox (23-44) drew eight walks in the opener of this six-game stretch in Texas, but only knocked out four hits. In fact, they didn’t have a hit after the fourth inning.

But Robert’s two hits provided the output to get this team going, starting with a double to right in the second off Lance McCullers Jr. to bring home Kyle Teel. Edgar Quero delivered a two-out, two-run single in the third and then Robert delivered what would be the White Sox final hit with his 94th career home run.

It was Robert’s first homer since May 3, going 28 games without a long ball, and helped him break out of a 3-for-31 slump with 15 strikeouts over his last 10 games. Facing the Astros seems to be the cure-all for Robert, who has eight homers and 19 RBIs over his last 21 regular-season games against Houston.

“Honestly I don’t know. I don’t know what’s the reason,” said Robert of his success against the Astros. “Maybe it’s something mentally. I know that I have good numbers against them here but I don’t know why.”

“He's a good player when he's on,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “ If you make mistakes, he's a good hitter. You have to execute, especially against any hitter at this level. He got some pitches he was able to get barrel to. He executed."

Shane Smith (3-3), who is vying to become the first White Sox rookie hurler to be selected to the All-Star Game, was the benefactor of this support as he made his 13th straight start allowing three earned runs or less by yielding one run on seven hits in six innings. He struck out four and was helped out by three double plays turned behind him. Grant Taylor, the White Sox No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, needed just 12 pitches to get through the seventh in his big league debut.

Taylor threw 10 pitches for strikes and six over 100 mph, including his first pitch checking in at 101.5 mph.

“That’s pretty good,” said a smiling Taylor, who didn’t know the velocity on that first offering. “Honestly, it’s kind of surreal. I don’t know if it’s really set in yet. It was pretty cool being out there.”

"I stayed out there for that,” said Smith of Taylor. “He's got electric stuff, I'm excited to see him work."

If Robert’s offense set the tone, then his defense brought the victory home. With runners on first and third, two outs and the White Sox holding a two-run lead in the eighth, Jake Meyers hit a line drive to center looking as if it would fall in to score at least one run.

Even with Robert playing deep to take away the extra-base hit, he was able to race in and make a sliding catch ending the inning.

"La Pantera covers center field really well,” Smith said of Robert. “First time throwing here in this ballpark, any ball in the air you kind of think has got a chance and for him to track those down and make those plays was huge."

Efforts like Tuesday’s performance could heighten the trade market for a player possessing immense ability across the field, even if his offense has dropped in ’25. On this occasion, Robert helped make the White Sox winners for a third time in four games against the AL West leaders.

“That’s the key, right? See the results,” Robert said. “Then when you work and see the results, it’s fine. When you work and don’t see the results, it’s tougher. Ever since everybody came back and the team has been complete, we have been playing better.”