Munetaka Murakami hit a fourth-inning home run off Parker Messick as the White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in Game 1 of their American League Division Series.
Murakami turned on a 93 mph sinker for his first MLB postseason homer. Miguel Vargas singled before the home run. The two had gone a combined 1-for-17 in Chicago’s two-game Wild Card series against Houston, but reached base five times between them in the ALDS opener.
Chicago’s relievers kept Cleveland scoreless. Anthony Kay recorded four outs, and Grant Taylor pitched the final four innings. Shortstop Colson Montgomery had two hits, including an RBI double. The teams went a combined 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
White Sox manager Will Venable said Murakami had been a fixture in the middle of the lineup all year.
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