Munetaka Murakami Delivers on Bobblehead Day

The Japanese slugger wasted no time making his presence felt. In the first inning, he launched a two-run opposite-field home run off Ronel Blanco, giving Chicago a 2-1 lead and ending a 13-game homer drought. It was his first long ball since May 27.

Murakami wasn’t finished. He added an RBI groundout in the third, ripped a two-run single during a four-run seventh inning, and capped the afternoon with a solo shot to right-center in the eighth, his 22nd home run of the season.

The six-RBI afternoon marked a new career high in a single game for the 25-year-old first baseman.

The White Sox, who entered the day leading the American League Central, pounded out five home runs in the win and avoided a series sweep. Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth and Junior Pérez also went deep in support of Murakami’s monster day.

After dealing with a hamstring injury he suffered in late-May and a recent power drought since his return from the IL, Murakami reminded everyone why he remains one of the most dynamic power hitters in baseball, and why 15,000 fans left Rate Field with a bobblehead of the man who just put on yet another show.