CHICAGO - Munetaka Murakami blasted his American League-leading 18th home run of the season as the Chicago White Sox rookie helped beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1 on Monday.
Murakami went deep to right in the first inning for his first homer in eight games and finished 1-for-4 with an RBI at Rate Field.
His compatriot, debutant Rikuu Nishida, recorded his first major league hit after being promoted to the White Sox from Triple-A Charlotte.
Starting in right field, the 25-year-old singled to center in the fourth inning and went 1-for-3.
"I don't think of myself as a major leaguer yet. It's still only one game, so I'll keep doing my best," Nishida said. "I'm super happy, and I feel a lot more relieved (after getting my first hit)."
In other Major League Baseball action, Tatsuya Imai threw six hitless innings, propelling the Houston Astros past the Texas Rangers 9-0.
Imai (2-2) struck out two and walked four, before Astros relievers completed the shutout at Globe Life Field.
Elsewhere, Shohei Ohtani delivered a double and went 1-for-3 in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies.
At Dodger Stadium, Milan Cortina Olympic figure skating pairs gold medalists Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara showed their lift and performed the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the game.
