MLB All-Star notes: Munetaka Murakami flames out of Derby; ex-Cub Schwarber, ex-Sox Cease in starring roles

PHILADELPHIA — Just like his Home Run Derby experiences in Japan, Munetaka Murakami’s first stab at it in the U.S. was a big bust. Murakami didn’t make it out of the first round on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, hitting nine of the 20 pitches served to him out of the yard. In the new untimed format, Murakami never got into a rhythm. In Japan, Murakami said he participated in Derbies three times, but to no avail. Asked during his All-Star Game media availability earlier Monday about how he…