White Sox' Murakami Ties MLB HR Lead with 14 in 35 Games

Chicago White Sox rookie infielder Munetaka Murakami tied for the major league lead with 14 home runs through his first 35 games on Monday night, powering a surprising early surge for the team with a three-run homer against the Los Angeles Angels.

Murakami, a 26-year-old who signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox in the offseason after starring in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, has redefined expectations. Every one of his extra-base hits entering Monday's game was a home run, marking the longest such streak to start a career since at least 1900, according to MLB researcher Sarah Langs. He extended it to 14 in the fourth inning off Angels starter Jose Soriano before ending the run with a double in the sixth against reliever Mitch Farris.

In 35 games, Murakami has collected 30 hits, including 15 singles, one double and those 14 homers. He has drawn 28 walks, posting a .240 batting average, .377 on-base percentage and .584 slugging percentage. His power stands out against high-velocity pitching; he is the only player this season to hit multiple home runs exceeding 98.1 mph, Langs noted, while slugging .714 against fastballs.