Kyle Tucker appeared to have an extra-base hit.
Luis Robert Jr. had different concepts.
The Chicago White Sox heart fielder was shaded towards right-center. He raced to left-center and made a miraculous sliding catch to rob Tucker within the ninth inning Sunday in entrance of 42,835 at Minute Maid Park.
The seize helped protect a 6-3 victory for the Sox, who earned a formidable break up of the four-game sequence in opposition to the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros.
“I knew that it was a hard-hit ball and it was far,” Robert mentioned by means of an interpreter. “I saw when the ball was in the air and I just put my head down and ran as fast as I could. When I put my head up again, I saw the ball and was there.”
The catch was the second out of the inning. Two runners had been on base and the Sox had a five-run lead. The Astros obtained back-to-back RBI singles after the play to convey the tying run to the plate earlier than Chas McCormick popped out to first baseman Andrew Vaughn to finish the sport.
Sox supervisor Pedro Grifol known as Robert’s catch a game-saver, together with one within the fifth by proper fielder Oscar Colás on David Hensley’s sinking liner.
“They just told me he ran (113) feet for that ball,” Grifol mentioned of Robert’s play. “To be sincere, that ball was hit and I believed (left fielder Andrew Benintendi) was the one one which had an opportunity for the ball. I checked out Luis and he wasn’t shut. I appeared and thought (Benintendi) perhaps had an opportunity, and impulsively I see (Robert) flying to make that catch.
“Probably one of the best catches I’ve seen just because of the amount of territory he covered. He closed in on that ball really quick. That’s one of the best catches I’ve ever seen.”
It was the second straight day Robert robbed Tucker. He went to the wall and made a leaping catch within the third inning of Saturday’s 6-4 loss.
Robert mentioned Saturday’s catch was tougher.
“It was against the wall, and then I had to have the perfect timing to jump and catch the ball,” he mentioned. “(Sunday’s) was just I was running behind the ball and I was able to grab it.”
Teammates had been in awe of what they noticed.
“When he made that catch, I just froze,” Colás mentioned by means of an interpreter. “I couldn’t believe it. That was a very well-hit ball and it was far from where he actually was. When I saw him doing that, I just couldn’t believe it.”
Starting pitcher Mike Clevinger introduced up an NFL Hall of Famer when Robert’s identify was talked about.
“Megatron? Calvin Johnson in center field?” Clevinger mentioned. “Good grief, yeah. It’s very comforting to know you have (Robert and Colás) behind you.”
Robert additionally had a productive day on the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and a solo residence run.
“I just kept working, kept trying to make adjustments,” Robert mentioned. “What happened yesterday doesn’t matter today. You just need to keep working and trying to improve and get better every day. That’s the key, just keep working.”
Robert’s homer within the fifth was the sport’s first run.
“He can beat you so many different ways and today showed it,” Grifol mentioned.
Clevinger earned the win in his Sox debut, permitting three hits in 5 scoreless innings.
“He made the pitch every time he had to make one,” Grifol mentioned.
Clevinger struck out eight and walked three within the 98-pitch outing.
“It’s a playoff atmosphere almost every game in Houston,” Clevinger mentioned.
Yoán Moncada continued his robust begin with two doubles and a two-run homer. He’s 8-for-18 (.444) with two homers and 4 RBIs. Yasmani Grandal, who’s 5-for-12 (.417), had three hits, whereas Colás and Vaughn each had two.
Colás, Vaughn and Tim Anderson every had one RBI because the Sox head residence on a excessive notice after measuring themselves in opposition to the 2022 champions.
“This is a good start for us,” Robert mentioned. “Leaving here with a 2-2 record is good. It was a very good series.”
Time change for residence opener
The Sox moved up Monday’s residence opener in opposition to the San Francisco Giants by one hour to 2:10 p.m. due to inclement climate forecast within the late afternoon and night.
Parking tons will open three hours earlier than first pitch and gates will open at 12:30 p.m. Pregame festivities and introductions will start at 1:30.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com