Munetaka Murakami powers White Sox to victory in Game 1 of ALDS

The White Sox's Munetaka Murakami celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Guardians in Game 1 of the AL Division Series in Cleveland on Saturday. | Imagn Images / VIA REUTERS

Reuters

Oct 4, 2026

Cleveland – Munetaka Murakami belted a two-run homer off All-Star Parker Messick and five pitchers combined on a three-hitter as the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Saturday afternoon.

Later in the day, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Tarik Skubal dominated over six innings while three home runs powered the offense in a 5-3 victory over the visiting Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of their NL Division Series. 

Murakami, a 26-year-old from Japan in his first MLB season, hammered a 440-foot shot to right field off Messick in the fourth inning. His first postseason homer — and 36th overall this year — plated Miguel Vargas to put the White Sox up 2-0.

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