In St. Petersburg, Florida, the Chicago White Sox made a significant mark on baseball history. Miguel Vargas, Munetaka Murakami, and Colson Montgomery each hit home runs in the same game, marking the fifth time this season. This impressive feat ties both major-league and franchise records, reiterating the team’s offensive power.
Munetaka Murakami emphasized the importance of their hitting ability, saying through an interpreter, “Having three guys who can hit the ball really well is always a threat to the opposing team. We want to continue contributing to the team and keep it going.” White Sox’s Andrew Benintendi also joined the batting spree with a home run in the team’s 6-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in front of 20,661 fans at Tropicana Field.
The last time a major-league trio homered in such fashion was in 2019, accomplished by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, and Joc Pederson. White Sox manager Will Venable recognized the rarity and impact of this achievement, stating, “To have those guys right in the middle of your lineup do that five times is really special.” He praised Montgomery for eventually capitalizing on a good pitch after a challenging start against Rays starter Nick Martinez.
With these home runs, the White Sox solidified their position at the top of the American League Central, extending their lead to three games over the Cleveland Guardians.
Vargas initiated the power show with a solo home run in the first inning, covering 433 feet with an exit velocity of 107.8 mph. “He continues to take good swings on good pitches,” Venable stated, highlighting Vargas’s consistent performance throughout the season.
Benintendi followed suite in the second inning with a 405-foot home run, marking his 11th of the season. Venable noted Benintendi’s consistent performance, recognizing his ability to deliver under pressure.
Murakami added to the lead with a two-run home run in the third inning, his 24th of the season. “We feel like he’s covering everything,” Venable mentioned, emphasizing Murakami’s broad hitting range.
The Rays managed a single run with Junior Caminero’s solo home run in the fourth inning. White Sox starter Erick Fedde delivered a strong performance, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts over five innings. Following the game, Fedde expressed satisfaction with the team’s offensive support, “They make my job easy when they give me big leads.” He commended the collective effort of the team, praising the effective implementation of their game plan.
Montgomery’s two-run home run in the sixth inning stretched the lead to 6-1. This marked his 25th home run of the season, showing his power at the plate. Reflecting on the lineup’s strength, Montgomery said, “Having those three is definitely a weapon. I think our offense is starting to click.”
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