Robinson homers for 1st hit in 'special moment'

Prospect could get extended stay on Rangers' roster

June 25th, 2017

NEW YORK -- Rangers infielder brought his newfound home run stroke to Yankee Stadium on Sunday. Now Texas is going to decide if he is going keep it here in the Major Leagues.
Robinson launched his first Major League hit with a fourth-inning home run off of Yankees starter , one of three hit by the Rangers in a 7-6 victory in the Bronx.
"I can't put it into words, but a lot of work went into that moment," Robinson said. "Coming to Yankee Stadium, yesterday and today, it was a special moment for me. It definitely meant a lot to me."

Robinson, the Rangers' No. 23 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, was called up on Saturday for his third stint with Texas, and this was just his second Major League game. He was 0-for-2 in his only other big league game on April 5, but he had a double in addition to the home run on Sunday.
The homer, which gave the Rangers a 7-0 lead, ended up being the winning margin.
"It's special because he is one of our own and has grown up in this organization," manager Jeff Banister said. "We got to see what he did in Spring Training and what he has done in the Minor Leagues."

The Rangers may see more of Robinson. This time, he could get an extended stay on the roster.
The Rangers sent infielder Joey Gallo back to Texas on Sunday to have a sore right hamstring examined by Dr. Shane Seroyer. Gallo has been getting treatment on the hamstring for seven-to-10 days, and he might need to go on the disabled list.
Right now, Gallo has been cleared to rejoin the team in Cleveland on Monday, and he can play when the hamstring feels good enough. But the Rangers still have a roster move pending with left-hander Cole Hamels coming off the disabled list to start on Monday against the Indians.
Robinson gives the Rangers two utility infielders on the bench. Texas claimed veteran Pete Kozma off waivers from the Yankees at the end of April so that Robinson and could play regularly at Triple-A Round Rock.
Kozma is a veteran who understands the role, but an 0-for-15 streak at the plate has left him with a .118 batting average.
Robinson, on the other hand, was crushing the ball at Triple-A. In his past 20 games and 83 at-bats, he was hitting .289 with 10 home runs, 24 RBIs and a .735 slugging percentage. He had just one home run in his first 148 at-bats.
"I was just saving them all for one time," Robinson said. "I did some tinkering and found a little something [in my swing] that allows me to recognize pitches better and squaring balls up more consistently. I was fouling off a lot of pitches I should have been hitting."