Murakami hits 2 HRs, drives in 6 runs to lead AL Central-leading White Sox past Astros 12-3

CHICAGO (AP) — Munetaka Murakami homered twice and drove in a season-high six runs; Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth and Junior Perez also went deep as the Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 12-3 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.

With his parents in attendance and on his bobblehead giveaway day, Murakami hit a 385-foot, two-run homer in the bottom of the first that gave Chicago its first lead of the game. It was his first homer since May 27th. He added a go-ahead, RBI groundout in the third inning and a two-run single in the seventh. He closed out his three-hit game with his 22nd homer of the season — a solo shot — to right-center in the eighth.

Vargas hit his 22nd homer of the season in the sixth — a go-ahead, two-run shot to put the White Sox back on top 5-3. Meidroth followed in the seventh with a solo shot to break the game open. Perez hit his third homer of the season 376 feet to left in the eighth.

Andrew Benintendi had an RBI single in the seventh for a 9-3 lead.

Sean Newcomb (1-2) picked up his first win of the season after allowing one hit in two-thirds of an inning. Erick Fedde worked 4 1/3 innings in the start and surrendered three runs on five hits while striking out two.

Ronel Blanco (0-1), making his second start of the year, allowed five runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings. Houston used four pitchers in the game, and all allowed at least two runs.

Jeremy Peña hit two solo homers for Houston — one in the first for a 1-0 lead and another in the third. Taylor Trammell added a solo homer in the fifth inning.

Houston had its five-game win streak halted.

White Sox LHP Noah Schultz (3-7, 6.04 ERA) takes the mound against the Yankees on Monday. The Yankees have not announced a starter.

The Astros have not announced a starter for their series opener against the Angels on Monday. Host Los Angeles has not named its starter.

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Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami, of Japan, celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Chicago, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Fans of Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami of Japan, hold signs and a Japanese flag during the first inning of a baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami, of Japan, hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Chicago, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami, left, of Japan, celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Chicago, Sunday, July 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — John Anderson, the former University of Minnesota baseball coach and Big Ten career victories leader, died Sunday. He was 71.

Anderson's family announced his death through the university, where he first arrived as a pitcher for a failed tryout in 1974 and spent 43 years as head coach of the Gophers until retiring after the 2024 season.

Anderson was hospitalized Wednesday after going into cardiac arrest, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the university did not announce the cause of death.

Anderson is survived by wife Jan and daughter Erin, who were with him when he died. His body was returned to the university for organ donation.

After a arm injury ended his playing career, Anderson became a student manager and was honored as the most valuable player of the 1977 College World Series team by his peers, a squad that featured future Hall of Famer Paul Molitor.

He became the head coach at age 26 entering the 1982 season and amassed 1,390 wins to lead the Big Ten and rank 20th in NCAA Division I. Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson and major league All-Stars Terry Steinbach and Greg Olson and Miami Marlins pitcher Max Meyer are among the many standouts he coached.

The Gophers had winning records in 38 of 43 seasons under Anderson, who won the Big Ten Coach of the Year award eight times and took them to the NCAA tournament 19 times, including the Super Regional round in 2018.

Anderson was recently named the annual winner of the Wilson Lefty Gomez Award by the American Baseball Coaches Association for contributions to the sport at local, national and international levels.

Anderson had his No. 14 uniform retired in 2024.

“He leaves behind a legacy that will never be matched, and our entire Gopher baseball family is heartbroken by this loss,” current head coach Ty McDevitt said in a statement distributed by the university. “Coach Anderson always reminded us to appreciate the people around us and to take care of one another. That’s how he lived his life, and it’s how we’ll honor his memory.”

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FILE - Minnesota coach John Anderson speaks during a news conference ahead of the Big Ten NCAA college baseball tournament in Omaha, Neb., May 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)