Robert hits two homers in 4-hit night, White Sox end Astros’ streak with 5-4 win

HOUSTON — Luis Robert Jr. hit two home runs and had a season-high four hits and four RBIs in the Chicago White Sox’s 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

“They fought really hard,” Chicago interim manager Grady Sizemore said. “I’ve told them the last five games that they’re playing really well and to keep it up and good things are going to happen. They stepped up again tonight and really fought.”

The White Sox, worse than the major leagues (30-93), won for the second time in four games, ending the eight-game winning streak of the American League West-leading Astros.

“It was a pretty big game for us,” White Sox starter Garrett Crochet said. “With no playoff ambitions, I think one of our goals is to ruin it for everybody and we knew the Astros were on fire. So this game is a really good thing.”

Hitter Jon Singleton hit a solo home run for Houston off Chad Kuhl with two outs in the ninth inning to cut the score to 5-4. But Kuhl struck out Jose Altuve to end the game and earn his first save.

Robert hit a two-run home run in the third inning and added a solo hit in the fifth inning to give the White Sox a 4-1 lead. It was Robert’s seventh career two-run game and his first since March 30 against Detroit.

“It’s a good start… but I have to keep working and try to be more comfortable,” Robert said in Spanish through a translator.

A two-run home run by Jake Meyers made it 4-3 in the sixth, but Robert added insurance with a two-out RBI single in the eighth.

His first hit of the night came on a single in the first, but he was tagged out trying to turn it into a double.

The Astros had a season-high 16 strikeouts and lost for the first time since Aug. 5.

Crochet allowed four hits and one run with nine strikeouts in four innings.

Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti (5-11) allowed seven hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

“Spencer had some really good stuff, but he had some trouble controlling his pitches and let some pitches over the plate,” manager Joe Espada said. “Luis Roberts batted really well today. That was the difference in tonight’s game.”

Andrew Vaughn singled to lead off the second inning before Korey Lee hit a one-out double in the inning. Michael Vargas walked to load the bases and the White Sox made it 1-0 when Vaughn scored after Dominic Fletcher was forced out.

A single to left field by Nicky Lopez led off the third inning before Robert sent an Arrighetti fastball over the left-field wall to make it 3-0.

Altuve hit a two-out double in the bottom of the inning, which wiped out a number on the out-of-towners’ manual scoreboard on the wall below the left-field seats. The Astros cut the lead to 3-1 when he scored on a single by Yordan Alvarez.

Robert hit Arrighetti again with two outs in the fifth on a solo shot to the first row of left-field seats to make it 4-1.

The Astros had two men on base and one out in the fifth, but Alvarez grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The White Sox led by 3 runs when Victor Caratini singled with two outs in the sixth inning. Meyers followed with a shot to left field off Touki Toussaint to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Zach Dezenzo drew a walk before Mauricio Dubon doubled to left field to chase Toussaint. He was replaced by Justin Anderson (1-0) and broke the deadlock when Chas McCormick grounded out on his first pitch to end the inning.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

White Sox: Right-handed pitcher Matt Foster was placed back on the 60-day disabled list Friday. … Right-handed pitcher Dominic Leone (Tommy John surgery) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Astros: Ace Justin Verlander (neck stiffness) allowed four hits and two runs in four innings for Corpus Christi in Double-A in his second rehab start Thursday night. Espada said he will throw a bullpen game Sunday before they decide what to do next for the right-hander. … 3B Alex Bregman was out of the lineup Friday because of swelling in the back of his right elbow. Bregman said the problem started when he fell asleep improperly a few days ago. Bregman said he could miss the weekend series and return Monday for the start of a series against the Boston Red Sox.

FOLLOWING

Houston right-handed pitcher Hunter Brown (10-7, 3.96 ERA) was scheduled to face right-handed pitcher Chris Flexen (2-11, 5.34 ERA) on Saturday night.

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