This slide won't earn Robert any style points

CHICAGO -- Luis Robert Jr.’s second stolen base of the third inning Tuesday night during the White Sox 6-2 victory over the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field did not exactly score high on style points.

In fact, it briefly frightened manager Rick Renteria, who was otherwise enjoying his team’s sixth consecutive victory and second straight over the second-place Twins.

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“Wow. That was tough. That was difficult,” said Renteria of Robert’s awkward slide. “Difficult to watch in that I was hoping he was OK more than anything.”

The White Sox center fielder was unchecked at second base by Minnesota starter Randy Dobnak, so he had a running start toward third. Robert slid a bit too soon on the uncontested grab, though, and ended up bouncing his face off the dirt.

Robert’s move elicited a round of laughter and humorous approval from Chicago's bench, a group already fired up after scoring three in the frame off Dobnak. But even a high-caliber, smooth athlete such as Robert had to laugh at this clunky attempt at stolen base No. 8, a spectacle that saw the American League Rookie of the Year Award favorite go viral for something other than a spectacular catch or a 450 foot home run.

“When he came in he said, ‘That ground is really hard.’ We all saw that,” Renteria said. “I still want him to stay on his feet and slide on his butt.”

“It was kind of crazy because I got stuck on the dirt,” said Robert through interpreter Billy Russo. “It was the first time this year that I tried to steal third base. I was excited because of that, but I wasn't as much excited about the way that it happened.”