OSAKA – Hiroshi Moriwaki will stay on as manager of the title-chasing Orix Buffaloes after agreeing to a new two-year contract from next season, the Pacific League club said Saturday.

The 54-year-old Moriwaki, who is his second year in charge, has had the Buffaloes around the top of the PL since the start of the season, putting them in position for their first league pennant since 1996.

Orix team director Ryuzo Setoyama said, “(Moriwaki) has got the team playing mobile baseball and the team is delivering results.

“Step by step I want him to create a team that is a perennial title candidate.”

Orix was second in the standings through Friday’s games, 2-1/2 games behind the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.