Luis Robert didn’t start for the first time in his career Monday.
He used the time to watch and learn.
Some of those observations paid off Wednesday. The rookie center fielder cleared the bases with a two-out, three-run double in the fifth inning as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 7-5 at Comerica Park.
“I took (Monday) just to try to adjust, learn about the things that I’ve been doing wrong,” Robert said through an interpreter. “Just try to improve, that’s basically what I did that day.
“The outcome I got (Wednesday) was because of the work I put in day in and day out. With the hitting coach (Frank Menechino), we have worked hard and we’re going to continue working hard because I know I can do better.”
The Sox let an early lead slip away but rallied with four runs in the fifth to take two of three in the series.
Tim Anderson ignited the offense, going 4-for-5 with a home run, triple, two singles and three runs. Anderson and Eloy Jimenez led off the game with back-to-back home runs.
“We came out with a lot of energy and started the game off with two home runs back to back,” Anderson said. “That set the table.”
Anderson fell behind in the count 1-2 and then fouled off six pitches before launching a long home run to left. It was the sixth leadoff home run in his career.
Jimenez fell behind 0-2 in his first-inning at-bat. He hit the third pitch beyond the wall in right.
The Sox started the game with consecutive home runs for the fifth time in team history, according to STATS. They previously did it with Yoan Moncada and Yolmer Sanchez (June 12, 2018, against the Indians), Alen Hanson and Sanchez (Sept. 2, 2017, against the Rays), Ray Durham and Jose Valentin (July 4, 2000, against the Royals) and Boze Berger and Mike Kreevich (Sept. 2, 1937, against the Red Sox).
Anderson tripled to left in his next at-bat in the third. He scored on a grounder by Jose Abreu to give the Sox a 3-1 lead.
The Tigers scored four unearned runs in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. Willi Castro’s two-out, two-run homer put the Tigers ahead.
The Sox answered with the four runs in the fifth. Robert’s bases-loaded double to right-center gave them a 6-5 lead.
“I went to that at-bat looking where I’m always looking for, just tried to make solid contact, good contact,” Robert said. “I was able to do that. I was able to stay behind the ball and hit the ball hard. Thankfully, I got a good result.”
Sox manager Rick Renteria said the at-bat can serve as a confidence booster. It was Robert’s first RBI since Aug. 1.
“He’s still learning, he’s still going through the process,” Renteria said. “Guys have gotten to know him early at the major-league level and they’ve made some adjustments to him. He’s going to continue to improve.”
Nomar Mazara knocked in Robert with a double for the final run.
Sox starter Dylan Cease allowed five runs (one earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts in six innings to improve to 3-1.
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“It’s huge to be able to save bullpen arms, for one, and for me personally to get that deep, it means a lot to me,” Cease said. “More importantly, we won. The offense picked us up (Wednesday) and it was a good win.”
Anderson led the way. After starting the day with the home run, triple and single, he had two cracks at the double. And, yes, Anderson knew he was close to the cycle.
“I definitely gave it a try,” he said with a laugh.
Anderson singled in the sixth and struck out in the eighth.
While he didn’t hit for the cycle, he has provided a spark for the offense since returning from the injured list, scoring five runs in two games. And the rest of the offense has followed.
“It’s a talented group,” Renteria said, “but again, it does require performance, it does require execution, and hopefully we’re building toward that.”