White Sox Rookie Ties MLB Record with 5th Straight Homer

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami tied a Major League Baseball record Wednesday by hitting a home run in his fifth consecutive game, powering a 451-foot two-run shot to right-center field against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.

The blast, Murakami's 10th of the season, came off Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson in the seventh inning and trimmed Arizona's lead to 10-7. The Japanese first baseman joined 12 other rookies in MLB history to achieve the feat, according to league records. He also matched a Chicago franchise mark for consecutive games with a home run, a distinction previously held by A.J. Pierzynski in 2012, Paul Konerko in 2011, Carlos Lee in 2003, Frank Thomas twice in 1994, Ron Kittle in 1983 and Greg Luzinski in 1983.

Murakami's early-season surge has positioned him among the league's top power hitters. His 10 home runs rank second in the majors, trailing only Houston's Yordan Alvarez with 11. Eight of Murakami's homers have come on the road, highlighting his ability to perform away from Guaranteed Rate Field. The total marks the most home runs by a Japanese-born player in his first 24 career games, surpassing previous benchmarks set by compatriots...