Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning of Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
Three pitches later, Miguel Vargas followed with a home run of his own.
It marked the third time the Chicago White Sox have hit back-to-back home runs this season. And Murakami and Vargas have been involved in all three.
Murakami, Vargas and Colson Montgomery hit three home runs in a row against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning of an April 21 game at Chase Field. Murakami and Vargas connected for consecutive home runs in the seventh inning on April 27 against the Angels at Rate Field.
Murakami and Vargas teamed up again to accomplish the feat Monday.
“When we go out there and fight one (through) nine (in the lineup), it’s going to be a long night for the pitcher,” Vargas told the Tribune on Wednesday in Anaheim, Calif. “That’s what we’re trying to do. When you do that as a group, you’re going to have good results eventually.
“We’re in a really good spot and everyone is enjoying it. Hopefully we keep doing that too.”
Monday’s home run was Vargas’ seventh of the season. He’s third on the team in the category entering Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners at Rate Field, trailing Murakami (15, tied for the major-league lead) and Montgomery (nine).
Vargas was also second on the team coming into Saturday with 27 walks; Murakami had 29. Vargas was seventh in the American League in walks.
“He doesn’t chase, he doesn’t chase at all,” manager Will Venable said of Vargas on Tuesday. “And he’s doing damage too. I think you mix those things together with the way he runs the bases, how hard he runs the bases, the defense as well, you have a really good baseball player before I even talk about the impact he has on his teammates and in the clubhouse.
“I’m excited Miguel Vargas is having a good year so far.”
White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas heads for home on a three-run double from shortstop Colson Montgomery in the third inning against the Mariners on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Rate Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Vargas had a .218/.360/.421 slash line with the seven home runs, 18 RBIs, 26 runs and six stolen bases.
“I’ve been feeling all right (at the plate),” Vargas said. “I’m at a good place, I like where my approach is at. For me, some nights you’re not going to get the results you want. But definitely, I feel good when I follow my approach and I commit to it.
“That’s all I can control about the game. The game is hard. As a group, we’re in a good spot, for sure.”
As a team, the Sox were tied for third in the AL in home runs (47) and tied for sixth in walks (151).
“The thing I love about it is we’re fighting from one to nine,” Vargas said. “Every guy has a game plan and they follow that game plan.”
Vargas said “100%” in agreement when asked of Murakami’s impact in lengthening the lineup.
“When you trust the guy behind you every time, every night, it’s great for everyone here,” Vargas said.
Vargas also continues to see the progress of teammates such as Montgomery and Chase Meidroth, who were called up from the minors last year and are experiencing their first full major-league season in 2026.
“They’ve been doing a great job,” Vargas said. “Their addition in this lineup has been great for us. … They want to be part of the group, they want to contribute to the team and win games. And that’s what we want in the clubhouse.”
Vargas wanted to make improvements defensively, and he is excited that the work during spring training is showing early in the season.
“As a group, we’ve been doing a great job on defense,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of close games, and I want to be a part of it. I saw everybody dive for the ball, everybody making plays and I want to be part of it. When you’ve got tight games, and you’ve got the energy, that’s all we want.
“I want to be out there for the pitcher, I want to make some plays and be out there for the boys too.”
Vargas said in general the energy in the clubhouse has been “unbelievable.”
“We can feel everybody together, everybody’s trying to win,” Vargas said. “That’s a great thing to have in the clubhouse. We can see the results that come from that energy.”
Injury update
White Sox designated hitter Andrew Benintendi was scratched from the lineup Saturday with neck stiffness.