Munetaka Murakami makes some history while tying Aaron Judge for MLB lead with 15th homer

Munetaka Murakami knows how to make a first impression. In the first inning of the Chicago White Sox’s game against the Seattle Mariners on Friday, Murakami crushed an opposite-field homer off starting pitcher Emerson Hancock. It’s his 15th homer of the season, tying Aaron Judge for the MLB lead.

The Statcast numbers: 106. 2 mph off the bad, 380 feet traveled. MUNETAKA MURAKAMI LEAVES THE YARD 😤 He ties the league lead with home run No.

15 😮 pic. twitter. com/jN5hIbf774 — MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2026 Friday was the series opener between the White Sox and Mariners, which is relevant because MLB notes that Murakami has now homered in eight straight series openers.

That’s a new MLB record, breaking a mark previously held by Eddie Murray in 1987. Granted, it’s a very specific record, but it’s not as though Murakami lucked into it. The streak goes back to April 14 against the Tampa Bay Rays, a stretch of time in which he was hitting .