Right-hander Satoshi Komatsu threw a five-hitter with eight strikeouts Sunday, helping the Orix Buffaloes cut their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to one with a 7-2 rout of the Pacific League champion Seibu Lions.
Tomotaka Sakaguchi had a bunt single to break a 1-1 tie with one out and runners at the corners in the fifth inning and Alex Cabrera added a two-run single to make it 4-1, and second-place Orix went on to send the Lions to their sixth straight defeat.
Komatsu (15-3) won his ninth straight decision, pitching his second straight complete game. Matt Kinney (2-4) was chased after allowing four runs in 4 2/3 innings at Seibu Dome.