Payback has been the word so far at the Japan Series. On Friday, it was the Tigers and Shoki Murakami looking for revenge after Yoshinobu Yamamoto shut them out 2-0 at Koshien during interleague, which they accomplished with a world-class 8-0 butt kicking. Sunday, it was the Buffaloes’ turn, and they, too, delivered.

Also, in catching up with some odds and ends, I need to mention that the Fighters are expected to post pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa, who could make it a five-pitcher exodus to MLB this winter, along with Yuki Matsui (confirmed free agent), Shota Imanaga (posting expected), Kona Takahashi (posting expected) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (posting expected).

Sunday’s Game 2

Orix 8, Hanshin 0: At Osaka UFO Dome, Orix’s defense came up big as Hiroya Miyagi only needed to pitch out of trouble once, despite giving up plenty of batted balls of promise. With a one-run fourth-inning lead, shortstop Kotaro Kurebayashi started a razor-sharp double play, allowing Miyagi to survive two two-out singles by striking out Sheldon Neuse.