Slumping slugger Munetaka Murakami has three hits in his last four games, including a three-run home run (No. 32) and his first triple in the majors. Still, the big rookie from Japan is batting only .108 (8-for-74) over his last 22 games, with three homers, 12 RBI and 15 walks.
Murakami says he expected major-league pitchers to quickly analyze him after he got off to a strong start this season that included 20 homers in his first 57 games — and before he suffered a hamstring strain May 29 that sent him to the injured list for six weeks.
“I’m not surprised by the adjustment the pitchers have been doing,” Murakami said after homering Thursday to power a 3-1 series-opening win over the Tigers. “Obviously, if you get at-bats here at the major-league level, they’re going to be looking at my weak points and weaknesses along with the at-bats.
“It’s just to overcome those every time, and I have to keep continuing that so I can be better.”
Before the rain-delayed series finale Sunday, an 8-1 victory over Detroit, manager Will Venable said Murakami has been working on some changes.
“He’s made some mechanical adjustments with his setup that have put him in a better spot to make more contact,” Venable said. “He’s probably, after making more contact and hitting the ball hard, feeling more confident and feeling good about himself.”
Murakami insists he doesn’t doubt himself.
“It doesn’t matter how I swing at the ball and what my mechanics are at the moment,” he said. “It’s just about getting that win every day. Winning is all that matters at the moment right now.”
Bears blasphemy
Miguel Vargas was clapping his hands over his head and performing his rendition of the “Skol Chant” — a pregame ritual for Vikings fans — from his corner locker in the clubhouse before the game.
Vargas, 26, became the first player in franchise history with at least 30 home runs, 30 doubles, 20 stolen bases and 100 runs scored in a season in the Sox’ 3-1 victory Saturday. He went deep for the 33rd time, walked twice, scored twice, stole a base and made a diving stop on Dillon Dingler’s sharp grounder to third.
So teammates might have been willing to cut Vargas, a big Vikings fan, a little slack.
Vargas started to follow the Vikings thanks to his friendship with Cubs first baseman Michael Busch, a native of the Twin Cities suburb of Inner Grove Heights, Minnesota. The two were teammates and roommates in the Dodgers’ organization.
Vargas and a handful of teammates visited the Vikings’ training facility last September, when the Sox swept a four-game series against the Twins in Minneapolis.
Fresh arm for the bullpen
If nothing else, the Sox gained a fresh bullpen arm when they reinstated right-hander Huascar Brazoban from the injured list.
They optioned left-hander Chris Murphy to Triple-A Charlotte.
Brazoban, 36, acquired from the Mets at the trade deadline for two minor-league pitchers, had been out since Aug. 25 because of a left lat strain, then a rehab stint with the Knights.
He has pitched 10 innings in 10 appearances with the Sox and was 0-0 with a 6.30 ERA.
With Charlotte, Brazoban was 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 5„ innings over five games.
“Braz is in a good spot,’’ Venable said. “Got him back and healthy and feeling good.”
Brazoban has been charged with at least one run in six of his 10 outings (seven runs total) with the South Siders, allowing two homers, 12 hits and six walks.
He was better with the Mets in 46 games and 52„ innings before the trade, going 5-2 with a 2.56 ERA.
Murphy is 3-0 with a 4.81 ERA and one save in 33 appearances this season in several stints with the Sox.