Murakami's Clutch Homer Lifts White Sox to Game 1 Victory Over Guardians
Rookie sensation Munetaka Murakami hit a pivotal two-run home run to give the Chicago White Sox a 1-0 series lead against the Cleveland Guardians.
Munetaka Murakami blasted the Chicago White Sox into a 1-0 series lead in the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians.
The rookie sensation hit a two-run blast in the fourth inning that propelled his team to a 3-0 shutout win on the road. The White Sox are looking to reach the ALCS for the first time since they won the World Series in 2005, and Murakami appears poised to play a significant role.
After signing a two-year, $34 million deal as he moved to Major League Baseball from Japan in December, Murakami has hit 35 home runs and 75 RBIs in his debut season. Following his game-changing home run, Murakami tossed his bat and shouted towards the Chicago dugout in celebration.
When asked what he shouted, Murakami said through an interpreter: "I can't really explain it in words right now, but it was something a little bit dirty."
Murakami noted that a base hit in his first at-bat gave him confidence to attack rookie pitcher Parker Messick on his second visit to the plate. "I really wanted the first run at a very important game, so I'm just really happy that I got one," Murakami said. "In the first at-bat, I had a very clean hit. So I was very comfortable going to that at-bat, and that was pretty much the approach, and I swung really clean."
The White Sox clubhouse lauded Murakami's performance after the game. "That's what playoff baseball is about, is your big dogs going out there and making big plays," manager Will Venable said. "Mune is the guy in the middle of the lineup that's been doing it all year for us. Long ball is part of our game specifically with Mune. Obviously a huge swing right there especially after we had just gotten out of a tough jam there. So really well timed homer. We needed it."
Catcher Kyle Teel added: "That dude can swing it, and that's No. 1. No. 2, I say as a guy in the clubhouse, a guy in the locker room, he's a guy you want around for the culture as well. It's rare you find superstars that also bring that to the table. It's an honor to play with him."
Even opposing players were impressed. Guardians catcher Austin Hedges called Murakami "just a stud." Hedges added: "He can hit a home run on every pitch in every spot, so you've got to keep him off-balance as best as you can. Man, he's fun to watch hit. Just not when he's playing against us."
