Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami (26), of the Chicago White Sox, hit a home run in his third consecutive game since his Major League Baseball debut.
Murakami launched a solo home run over the right-center field wall in the top of the second inning during the 2026 MLB away game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday (Korea time).
Starting as the fifth batter and first baseman, Murakami lifted a low inside cutter from Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Sproat after a full-count battle. The ball soared at a launch angle of 38 degrees, traveling 114.3 meters at a speed of 164.3 km/h before landing in the White Sox bullpen.
Hitting home runs in each of the first three games after a debut is the first such feat in seven years, since Trevor Story of the Colorado Rockies in 2016 and Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners in 2019. The record in this category is four consecutive games, set by Story in 2016.
Murakami is one of Japan’s most prominent power hitters, having slugged 246 career home runs over eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), including 56 home runs in 2022. He signed with the White Sox last December to make his big league debut.
Despite the milestone, Murakami had little to celebrate. His White Sox were swept in the three-game opening series against Milwaukee.
The White Sox lost the opener 2-14 on Sunday and fell 1-6 in the second game on Tuesday. In the third game, they held a 7-2 lead — buoyed in part by Murakami’s home run — before the pitching staff collapsed in a painful 7-9 comeback loss.
“I’m truly grateful and happy to have set this milestone,” Murakami said after the game. “But there’s still a long way to go and many ways to improve, so I’ll keep working hard.”
Meanwhile, Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter also joined the debut three-game consecutive home run club alongside Murakami.
DeLauter showcased fearsome power, belting four home runs in his first three games, including a multi-homer debut.