Chicago’s rookie slugger Munetaka Murakami stepped up when the White Sox needed a spark against one of Detroit’s top pitchers. He helped Chicago secure an important win with the regular season nearing its final stretch.

After the game, the Japanese phenom focused on his responsibility to the team rather than his individual numbers.

“I have responsibilities to be that player,” Murakami said through interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “I’m being paid by the team and to be accountable for what I do, even if I strike out, or I hit. It doesn’t really matter.”

He added, “Winning is all that matters at the moment right now. Giving 100 percent every single day is what I need to do.”

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Murakami delivered the biggest swing of the night Thursday, crushing a projected 423-foot, three-run homer against Tigers ace Framber Valdez in the first inning. The blast helped Chicago beat Detroit 3-1 and move to 78-75 with nine games left in the regular season.

Murakami finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and added his first career MLB triple in the eighth inning. He also made an important defensive play, making a relay throw from first base that helped nail Detroit’s Brett Callahan at third and end the Tigers’ rally.

The home run ended a difficult stretch for Murakami. The 26-year-old entered the game batting 5-for-52 in September and 20-for-154 with 77 strikeouts since the start of August.

The victory also added to Chicago’s postseason position. The White Sox moved into a tie with Cleveland atop the AL Central and maintained a two-game advantage over Texas and Toronto for the final AL wild-card spot.