Home Japanese Baseball NewsNPB NewslettersMunetaka Murakami Returns!

Munetaka Murakami Returns!

by Yuri Karasawa
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The Yakult Swallows superstar is back after missing the first half of 2025 (Photo: Nikkan Sports)

Tuesday (July 29)

Murakami’s first NPB homer in 103 days
  • Munetaka Murakami (Swallows) returned from an oblique injury and homered in his first at-bat since April 17.
  • Trey Cabbage (Giants) homered twice.
  • Kotaro Ohtake (Tigers) threw seven scoreless innings against the Carp.

Wednesday (July 30)

Misho Nishikawa’s first NPB homer
  • The Swallows won their 8th straight game.
  • The Carp lost their 7th straight game.
  • The Fighters edged the Hawks, 5-4, to reclaim first place in the PL.
  • Misho Nishikawa (Marines) hit his first career home run.

Thursday (July 31)

DeNA’s four long balls
  • Jason Vosler (Dragons) walked off the Giants in extras.
  • Keita Sano (BayStars) clubbed two homers in a 14-1 thrashing of the Swallows.
  • Kosei Shoji (Eagles) struck out nine in his first start since May 24.
  • The Hawks took a crucial series versus the Fighters to tie for first place in the PL.

Friday (August 1)

Yuma Tongu’s walk-off shot
  • Yuma Tongu (Buffaloes) hit a walk-off three-run bomb against the Fighters.
  • JD Davis (Lions) hit his first NPB home run in an 11-2 win over the Marines.
  • Kensuke Kondoh (Hawks) homered in a 3-1 win against the Eagles.

Saturday (August 2)

Kensuke Kondoh’s five walks

Sunday (August 3)

Yomiuri-DeNA Highlights
  • Munetaka Murakami (Swallows) went 4 for 4 with a homer in a 5-1 win over the Tigers.
  • Franmil Reyes (Fighters) hit his 21st jack in a 9-0 win against the Buffaloes.
  • Tomohisa Ohzeki (Hawks) threw seven innings of one-hit ball.
  • The Marines took a combined no-hitter into the eighth inning versus the Lions. 
  • The Giants walked off the BayStars.

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