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Murakami's Home Run Isn't Enough, Brewers beat White Sox 6-1

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Murakami's Home Run Isn't Enough, Brewers beat White Sox 6-1
Sport

Sport

Murakami's Home Run Isn't Enough, Brewers beat White Sox 6-1

2026-03-29 11:13 Last Updated At:11:41

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Garrett Mitchell hit two singles, drove in two runs and stole two bases on Saturday night to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago White Sox 6-1 despite another home run by Munetaka Murakami.

Christian Yelich had three hits and his RBI single opened the scoring in Milwaukee's three-run first inning. Brice Turang also had three hits, which included two doubles, Joey Ortiz had two hits and drove in a run and Brandon Lockridge had an RBI single.

Yelich moved to third on a base hit by Jake Bauers before Mitchell hit a two-run single to center that made it 3-0. Brewers Sean Burke (0-1) fielded Yelich’s checked-swing dribbler in the second and threw wildly to first. Turang raced home on play to give Milwaukee a four-run lead.

Murakami homered off starter Chad Patrick to lead off the fourth inning. The Japanese slugger, who signed a two-year $34-million deal in December after playing eight seasons (2018-2025) with the Yakult Swallows of the Nippon Professional Baseball League, made his debut Thursday in the opener, a 14-2 loss, and hit a solo shot.

Lockridge’s base hit in the sixth and Ortiz’s single in the seventh put insurance runs on the board.

Aaron Ashby (1-0) struck out four of the seven batters he faced in relief of Patrick, who went 4 1/3 innings and allowed a run.

Burke lost his career-high seventh consecutive road game since beating Detroit in Sept. 2024. He allowed four runs, three earned, and had five strikeouts.

Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn was placed on the 10-day injured list (left hamate fracture) retroactive to March 27. Catcher Jeferson Quero was recalled from Triple-A Nashville.

Anthony Kay starts Sunday for the White Sox in the finale of the three-game series against Brandon Sproat in the season debut for both pitchers.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe, right, throws out Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami, left, during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe, right, throws out Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami, left, during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Garrett Mitchell (5) steals second base against Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Garrett Mitchell (5) steals second base against Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery (12) during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Garrett Mitchell high-fives teammates after scoring on a single hit by Joey Ortiz (3) during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Garrett Mitchell high-fives teammates after scoring on a single hit by Joey Ortiz (3) during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

The Denver Summit and the Washington Spirit played to a scoreless draw on Saturday before a record National Women's Soccer League crowd of 63,004 fans at the home of the NFL's Denver Broncos.

In other action around the league, the Utah Royals held on for a 2-1 victory over the Boston Legacy; and the Portland Thorns downed the Kansas City Current 2-0; the Seattle Reign beat Racing Louisville 2-1 in Spokane, Washington; Bay FC dominated the North Carolina Courage on the road 3-1; and the San Diego Wave defeated the visiting Chicago Stars 2-0.

The Summit (1-1-2) broke the NWSL attendance record of 40,091 set last season in a Bay FC match at San Francisco's Oracle Park.

Denver goalkeeper Abby Smith and Spirit counterpart Sandy MacIver each made two saves to preserve their clean sheets. It was Smith's second straight shutout.

The Spirit (0-1-3) have yet to win this season.

Olivia Moultrie converted a penalty kick in the 53rd minute and the Thorns went on to defeat the Current 2-0 at Providence Park in Portland.

Moultrie, 20, became the youngest player to score 20 league goals, breaking Sam Kerr’s record set in 2016.

Reilyn Turner added a goal for the Thorns (3-1-0) in the 63rd minute.

The Current (1-3-0) continue to struggle without two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga, who is out for the season with a hip injury.

Thorns forward Sophia Wilson made her first start of the season in her return from maternity leave.

Tatumn Milazzo returned from a one-game red card suspension to score her second goal of the season and help the Royals beat the winless Legacy.

Milazzo scored on a tap-in in the 33rd minute to give Utah (1-2-1) the lead. Mina Tanaka drew a penalty in the 49th minute and Lara Prasnikar converted to go up 2-0.

Aissata Traoré scored in the 72nd minute to close the gap for Boston (0-3-0).

Maddie Mercado and Nérilia Mondésir scored first-half goals to lead the Seattle Reign (3-1-0) to another win at One Spokane Stadium.

In the 10th minute, Mercado scored for the second consecutive game. Initially, her shot was saved by Racing Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, but it slipped through her hands and rolled into the goal.

Mondésir added a goal in the 42nd minute for her first of the season.

Late in second half stoppage time, Louisville rookie Macy Blackburn scored her first professional goal to close the margin.

Louisville (0-2-1) has allowed two goals this season.

Bay FC (2-0-1) had three first-half goals to hand the Courage (1-1-1) their first loss of the season.

Alex Pfeiffer opened the scoring in the 20th minute on a left-footed shot past Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.

Keira Barry scored her first NWSL goal to double the lead 2-0 in the 30th.

Dorian Bailey headed home the third goal in the 34th minute, with an assist from Pfeiffer.

Manaka Matsukubo scored in the 65th.

It was Bay’s first road win since a 1-0 victory over North Carolina last April 19, which was their only victory away from home last season.

Rookie Lia Godfrey scored for the third straight game to give the San Diego Wave (3-1-0) their third straight win.

San Diego outshot the Stars 12-0 and had 60% possession in the first half.

Godfrey opened the scoring in the 56th minute

Melanie Barcenas came in as a sub in the 62nd minute and scored 10 minutes later.

The Stars (1-3-0) did not record their first shot until the 70th minute.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Washington Spirit forward Claudia Martinez, left, heads the ball as Denver Summit FC midfielder Devin Lynch, front right, and defender Megan Reid cover in the second half of an NWSL soccer match, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington Spirit forward Claudia Martinez, left, heads the ball as Denver Summit FC midfielder Devin Lynch, front right, and defender Megan Reid cover in the second half of an NWSL soccer match, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Summit FC forward Melissa Kossler, right, tries to head the ball into the net as Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan covers in the second half of an NWSL soccer match Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Summit FC forward Melissa Kossler, right, tries to head the ball into the net as Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan covers in the second half of an NWSL soccer match Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Summit FC forward Yazmeen Ryan, right, drives past Washington Spirit defender Lucia Di Guglielmo in the second half of an NWSL soccer match Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Summit FC forward Yazmeen Ryan, right, drives past Washington Spirit defender Lucia Di Guglielmo in the second half of an NWSL soccer match Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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