The Murakami-Martin-Vargas trio runs the show in Anaheim
Angel Stadium felt a lot like the South Side on Monday night. The White Sox absolutely flattened the Angels 6-0 in a complete power display. With 16 hits on the board and total command on the mound, Chicago are now 11 wins from their last 16 games. They are just a half-game off the pace in the AL Central. “Our lineup is unbelievably deep,” said Miguel Vargas, who clubbed his seventh homer of the season.
Murakami: a 429-foot blast and a bizarre first
At the heart of this surge is the inevitable Munetaka Murakami. After a slight dip in form over the past few days, the Japanese star snapped back in style by launching a 429-foot shot to centre field. It was his 14th homer, tying Aaron Judge for the major league lead in 2026. There was a quirky twist too: Murakami also ripped the first double of his career, after somehow putting together exactly 14 homers and 14 singles. That one gave his teammates a good laugh in the clubhouse.
Try it for $0.99.
Davis Martin: the new sheriff in town
If the bats stood out, what about Davis Martin on the mound? The right-hander delivered a clinic, throwing seven shutout innings with a career-best 10 strikeouts and not a single walk. His ERA drops to a tiny 1.64. Martin looks to have hit top gear, with added velocity that completely bamboozled the Anaheim hitters, who whiffed 19 times.
An identity found at just the right time
After a rough start to the season at 6-13, the White Sox have finally found who they are. The group has a contagious energy, and it shows even in the dugout. “We knew from spring training that we were building something special,” Martin said after the win. Between Murakami’s power, Martin’s precision and the steady production from veterans like Andrew Benintendi, who had four hits on Monday, Chicago are no longer hiding it: the aim is clearly to take the division crown by the end of the month.
Discover the rest of the sports news on our site!
Leave a Reply