Munetaka Murakami sets Japanese debut record with 30th homer in loss to Twins
Munetaka Murakami became the first Japanese player to hit 30 home runs in his first MLB season, though the Chicago White Sox fell 6-4 to the Minnesota Twins.
In the White Sox's 6-4 defeat at Minnesota, Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run first-inning homer that gave him his 30th long ball of the season, making him the inaugural Japanese player to reach that total in a debut MLB year. The shot, a 2-2 splitter from Taj Bradley, placed him alongside Hideki Matsui, Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki in the exclusive 30-homer club. Chicago's lead was later extended by Colson Montgomery, but Anthony Kay surrendered five runs over 4 1/3 innings, allowing the Twins to rally.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi secured his first win after returning from shoulder inflammation, and Toronto's Kazuma Okamoto posted a four-hit game as the Blue Jays edged the Kansas City Royals. Murakami expressed happiness but emphasized his ambition to set higher goals.
Why it matters
It highlights a historic milestone for Japanese players in MLB and underscores the growing impact of international talent in American baseball.
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