CHICAGO -- White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami set a Major League record, tied Aaron Judge for the Major League home run lead and ended a stretch of five straight strikeouts with one swing in the first inning of Friday’s series opener against the Mariners at Rate Field.
Murakami connected on a 1-0 sinker from Emerson Hancock for a solo home run to left, giving him homers in eight straight series openers. Murakami was tied with Eddie Murray at seven straight before Friday's connection.
Murakami’s blast, carrying 380 feet at 106.2 mph, according to Statcast, marked his first home run to left field of his MLB career. Murakami now has 15 homers off 15 pitchers, but has yet to produce a multihomer game.
“I hope he just continues to do what he's been doing because he's been a real force for us,” said White Sox general manager Chris Getz of Murakami. “What he brings to the table, the influence and the impact that he has on the lineup is significant. We just want to continue to watch him have quality at-bats, get on base and do damage, and play his style of baseball.
“We want to do what we can to position him to do what he's been doing. He doesn't need to do anything more. We know that the league is trying to figure him out, but he continues to show up and impress. … You look at his determination and his work ethic and his intelligence, I have a tough time thinking he's not going to get better."