Munetaka Murakami hits two home runs as White Sox beat Astros 12-3

Munetaka Murakami delivered a two-home-run performance for the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, contributing to a 12-3 victory over the Houston Astros and widening the team's lead in the American League Central to 1.5 games. The game marked Murakami's bobblehead day, and his parents attended to throw out the ceremonial first pitches.

After a 1-2 count, Murakami hit a slider to the opposite field for his first homer of the game. He later added an RBI groundout, a productive out that advanced a runner, an RBI single, and a second home run in the eighth inning, part of back-to-back jacks that sealed the win.

The White Sox had lost the first two games of the series to the Astros, but Chicago's broader roster, including contributions from Miguel Vargas, Tristan Peters and Sam Antonacci, helped the team improve from 3.5 games behind to first place over the past two months. Murakami had missed time with a hamstring injury at the end of May and returned two weeks ago.

"We’re excited to have Munetaka’s family here today and see him make an impact for the team," a White Sox spokesperson said.

The victory highlighted the team's depth and the impact of its star players as Chicago continued its push for the division title.