Robert plays hero again with clutch 10th inning home run originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Luis Robert is clutch.
On Saturday in Chicago, the White Sox' center fielder ripped a walk-off RBI single to sink the Yankees 3-2.
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And on Monday in Kansas City, he played hero again, belting a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning that vaulted the White Sox ahead of the Royals for good by a score of 5-3.
"I was trying to make good contact," Robert told reporters after the game through team interpreter Billy Russo.
Mission accomplished.
It was a majestic blast by Robert, who cranked a misplaced slider from Royals reliever Scott Barlow 425 feet to left center. The ball left the bat at 104.7 miles per hour, a true no-doubter.
And the shot came with the White Sox' backs against the wall. The visitors established a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning with a two-run bomb by Yasmani Grandal. But Kendall Graveman allowed the Royals three runs and four hits in the bottom of the eighth to level the score and eventually send the teams to extra innings.
The first two White Sox batters of the 10th inning — Tim Anderson and Yoán Moncada — went quietly with automatic runner Josh Harrison at second base. Tensions were high, and momentum was low.
Then Robert's slam changed all.
"It wasn't looking good for us. First two guys made out. They're (the Royals) right away from an out and then just getting one run to win it, and all of a sudden we've got a crooked number," manager Tony La Russa told reporters. "Huge home run. He's gonna be that way his whole career."
Indeed, the White Sox hope this is just one of many big-time moments for Robert.
"Sometimes in the first at-bats you are more relaxed," Robert told reporters through Russo. "But at the end of the game when you have at-bats you try to focus more."
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