Robert's incredible May run continues with 3rd HR in 3 days

CHICAGO -- Opposing hurlers need to use extreme caution when pitching to Luis Robert Jr.

The White Sox center fielder homered for a third straight game Sunday in a 4-3 loss to the Astros at Guaranteed Rate Field, marking the first three-game home run streak of his career. He struggled in April with a slash line of .202/.248/.414, but his numbers in May have been worthy of American League Most Valuable Player discussion, let alone deserving of All-Star consideration.

Robert, who also doubled in the sixth, leads the AL with 14 RBIs and 11 extra-base hits to go with a .422/.509/.933 slash line this month. He has 15 runs scored in the 13 games played.

“It’s incredible,” said White Sox designated hitter Jake Burger of Robert. “You’re just expecting him to hit a ball 110-plus [mph] over the fence, so it’s really fun watching him, especially when he’s really hot.”

“Results that I'm getting right now are part of all the work that I've been doing. That's really the only thing you can control,” said Robert through interpreter Billy Russo. “Sometimes you work hard, and the results are there. Sometimes you keep working hard, and the results aren't there. But you still have to work.”

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol went a step further in regard to the success for Robert, pointing to the decision-making focus being employed in relation to plate discipline.

“His ability to make decisions I think is the key to his, to anyone’s success at the plate,” Grifol said. “We’ve talked about it over and over again. I don’t want to beat a dead horse. You get pitches in the strike zone, and you have talent, you are going to do some damage.

“He has very little weaknesses when it comes to what type of pitches he can hit. He drove a fastball in the gap, two strikes. He can hit breaking balls out of the ballpark. He can hit all kinds of pitches. He just has to make sure they are in the strike zone. He’s doing a really good job of preparing himself to do that.”

Houston (21-19) scored three runs in the first off Lucas Giolito (2-3) and added another run in the fourth on Yainer Diaz’s first career home run. Robert brought the White Sox back within three when he connected on a 409-foot blast with a 113.6 mph exit velocity, per Statcast, off Hunter Brown (4-1).

According to Robert, the only work change incorporated during this torrid stretch is “doing the same drills that I was doing during the offseason.”

“I think that's the only thing that I've changed. I wasn't doing those before,” Robert said. “A couple things in the cage.

“Those are drills that I do with my personal trainer and my personal hitting coach during the offseason. I haven't been able to incorporate those to my work here. But now I was able to do it."

Burger, playing in his first game since returning from an injury rehab assignment after a left oblique strain, launched his eighth home to cut the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth. He connected with his wife, Ashlyn, and his son, Brooks, in the home crowd while celebrating Ashlyn’s first Mother’s Day.

“Brooks was asleep for the home run. Ashlyn definitely saw it,” a smiling Burger said. “That felt really good to be able to hit one for her on Mother’s Day. I know it’s such a big day for her and for us.”

For the 28th time in 42 games this season, however, it was not a big day for the White Sox (14-28). Despite Robert continuing his May dominance, the White Sox fell to 9 1/2 games back of the Twins in the AL Central.

“A huge part of a starting pitcher’s job is to set the tone early and keep momentum on our side. I failed to do that,” Giolito said. “Three-run first inning, just [awful]. Battled back from there. The solo home run was bad sequencing. Easy one to learn from. The team was battling hard. Got three runs back. I’ve just got to be better early. Set the tone early.”

"Every day we go out trying to be competitive. Sometimes things go your way. Sometimes they don't,” Robert said. “But you can't control that. What you can control is to go out there and be competitive. I'm sure that's what I'm trying to do, and I'm pretty sure that's what the rest of my teammates are trying to do too."