Munetaka Murakami Is On a Home Run Rampage and the White Sox Just Proved Nobody Can Stop Him

Will Venable went back to San Diego on Friday night and immediately reminded everyone why he belongs there. The guy who spent 7 1/2 seasons with the Padres as a player is now running the White Sox, and he just handed his old team an 8-2 beating at Petco Park. Chicago's looking to keep this thing rolling on Saturday with another shot at San Diego in game two of this three-game series.

Murakami Is Putting the League on Notice

Here's what scared the Padres the most: Munetaka Murakami cranked his 13th home run of the season, a three-run shot in the second inning that helped Chicago explode for six runs before most fans had finished their first beer. The White Sox blew this game wide open early, reaching 8-0 before San Diego scraped together a couple runs in the eighth just to avoid total humiliation. Murakami and the White Sox power trio of him, Colson Montgomery, and Miguel Vargas have combined for 28 home runs, and Chicago entered Friday ranked ninth in the majors in the long ball department.

Montgomery wasn't done being a problem either. He unloaded his ninth of the season in the fifth inning to keep the damage rolling.

Venable's Underdog Squad Is Chasing Their Fifth Straight Win

The White Sox manager loved the energy coming in. "Obviously, these guys are getting some great results, and we're changing that," Venable said about his young roster, "but we are still the underdogs, and that's something I'm comfortable with, and like being in that role." That's the kind of chip-on-your-shoulder mentality that wins ballgames.

Friday's win was boosted by rookie left-hander Noah Schultz, the 6-foot-10 flame-thrower who delivered six shutout innings. Sean Burke (1-2, 3.21 ERA) gets the nod for Saturday after firing 7 1/3 scoreless innings against Washington last Sunday, allowing just three hits, no walks, and four strikeouts in a 2-1, 10-inning loss. Burke is 0-1 against San Diego with a 2.70 ERA in his last 10 innings of work against them.

Padres Turn to Michael King and Hope Starting Pitching Turns Around

Michael King (3-1, 2.41 ERA) takes the ball for San Diego on Saturday. The right-hander hasn't lost since April 3 in Boston and sports a 1-1 record against Chicago with a 3.38 ERA in five career games, including one start. That start? September 21, 2025, when King threw five shutout innings with four strikeouts in a 3-2 win.

The problem for Craig Stammen's squad is their rotation is struggling hard. San Diego's starters rank 22nd in ERA at 4.57, nearly two full runs worse than division rival Los Angeles (2.95). But Stammen isn't hitting the panic button just yet. "They're hanging in there," he said. "Some guys are pitching well and some guys are up and down. They've been able to pitch enough innings to keep the bullpen fresh."

Help is coming. Griffin Canning could arrive after one more minor league rehab appearance, while Lucas Giolito is slated for two more minor league starts before joining the rotation. Giolito's deal requires him in San Diego by May 16.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.