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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 08: Munetaka Murakami #5 of the Chicago White Sox looks on against the Baltimore Orioles at Rate Field on April 08, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Chicago White Sox arrived at Chase Field on Tuesday night with something building. A four-run first inning set the tone. The lineup was connected, the at-bats were sharp, and the offense was operating with a confidence that has been growing over the last week. Then the second inning arrived. And Munetaka Murakami made history.

The 26-year-old rookie launched a 426-foot solo shot to right field, his ninth home run of the season.

For anyone unfamiliar with the name, Tuesday night was the perfect introduction.

Who Is Munetaka Murakami?

Murakami spent eight seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the Nippon Professional Baseball League before the White Sox added him in the offseason.

He won the Triple Crown in 2022 and was named Central league MVP in both 2021 and 2022. Rookie of the Year honours came in 2019. Across those eight seasons he compiled 265 home runs, 722 RBI, and a .273/.394/.550 slash line.

He was one of the most decorated players in modern Japanese baseball history before he ever set foot in an MLB stadium.

Murakami was also part of the Japan squad that won the 2023 World Baseball Classic alongside Ohtani, one of the most celebrated international tournaments in the sport’s recent history.

GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: Munetaka Murakami #55 and Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Championship 3-2 at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)

Murakami Ties Ohtani’s Record

Four consecutive games with a home run. That is where Murakami stands after Tuesday night, joining Shohei Ohtani and Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki as the only Japanese-born players in MLB history to accomplish the feat.

The broader context makes it even more striking. Murakami’s nine home runs through his first 23 MLB games are the most ever recorded by a Japanese-born player at that stage of a career. Ohtani, widely regarded as the greatest player the sport has produced in a generation, hit six in his first 23 games as a hitter. Murakami is three ahead of that pace.

His OPS sits at .978. The batting average of .208 and 31 strikeouts reflect the adjustment every hitter makes when arriving in a new league. The power has needed no adjustment.

The streak began on Friday against the Athletics with a grand slam. He has not stopped since. A homer on Wednesday would put Murakami level with the longest single-season streak any MLB rookie has ever produced.

A Night Full of History

Murakami’s homer ignited something in the second inning. Miguel Vargas matched him with a drive to left field, and Colson Montgomery completed the sequence with a 440-foot shot to center field. Back-to-back-to-back, for the first time since September 2020. The lead stretched to 7-0 before Arizona could respond.

Over the last four games the White Sox have hit twelve home runs. Over the ten games before that stretch they managed six. This is a lineup that has found something.

The White Sox improved to 3-1 on their current road trip and won back-to-back games for just the second time this season.

GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 21: Munetaka Murakami #5 of the Chicago White Sox hits a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Final Word for Murakami

Wednesday is another game against Arizona. For Murakami it is something more.

A fifth consecutive home run would write his name into the rookie record books and tie the best individual streak this franchise has ever seen. The Ohtani comparisons will only grow louder if he does it.

Nine home runs. Twenty-three games. History already made.

Wednesday could add another chapter.