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Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami and shortstop Colson Montgomery homered their way into Major League Baseball history Wednesday night.
Murakami and Montgomery both homered in the White Sox’s 11–7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, becoming the first set of teammates to each homer in four consecutive games in MLB history.
Murakami made further history when he homered for the fifth straight game, tying the Major League Baseball rookie record. He also tied the White Sox team record for most consecutive homers.
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Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)
Montgomery was the first of the two White Sox sluggers to go yard when he blasted Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez’s 88 mph cutter 423 feet into the seats in left field to cut the Diamondbacks’ lead to 6-4.
The Japanese rookie followed Montgomery’s lead when he smashed Diamondbacks relief pitcher Ryan Thompson’s 91 mph fastball 451 feet over the center field wall to cut the lead to 10-7 in the top of the seventh inning.
The rookie has already managed to keep his manager scoreless in just 24 games.
“I’ve run out of things to say,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Obviously, he continues to put himself in a really good spot to take good swings on good fairways. He makes good swing decisions, makes a lot of contact, and when he hits it, he hits it really hard.”
“Even the singles he hits are hard. The damage is unbelievable and it’s impressive to watch.”
MLB PITCHER SHARES PHOTO WITH TRUMP AT TURNING POINT USA EVENT, CALLS IT ‘INCREDIBLE HONOR’
Colson Montgomery of the Chicago White Sox hits an RBI fielder’s choice against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on April 22, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
Murakami joined AJ Pierzynski (2012), Paul Konerko (2011), Carlos Lee (2003), Frank Thomas (twice in 1994), Ron Kittle (1983) and Greg Luzinski (1983) as White Sox hitters who have homered in five straight games. He also became the 13th rookie in big-league history to go deep in five straight, according to MLB.com.
Murakami has done most of his damage on the road, hitting eight of his 10 total homers on the year in opposing ballparks. His 10 home runs are the most in MLB history by a Japanese-born player in his first 24 games.
Murakami is second only to the Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez (11 home runs) in MLB in home runs.
The White Sox signed Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract after his successful run in Nippon Professional Baseball, and the early returns have been promising.
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Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami celebrates his two-run home run with third base coach José Leger during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026. (Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)
In 24 games, Murakami has a .256 batting average with 10 home runs, 19 RBI and an astounding 1.026 OPS.
Murakami and Montgomery have been a force at the top of the White Sox lineup, as in 24 games Montgomery has just a .218 batting average but has provided some power with seven home runs and 18 RBI.
The dynamic duo will look to keep their home run streak going when the White Sox (9-15) face the Diamondbacks (14-10) in the final game of a three-game set on Thursday at 3:40 p.m. ET.
