When Cody Bellinger launched a grand slam off Madison Bumgarner it didn’t appear the Los Angeles Dodgers would need to summon Kenley Jansen out of the bullpen against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. Bellinger’s blast put L.A. ahead 5-0 in the fifth inning, and they led 6-2 heading into the ninth.
After Caleb Ferguson worked a scoreless eighth inning, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts looked to lean on Yimi Garcia for the last three outs of the game. But Garcia allowed a leadoff double and walked the second and final batter he faced.
Jansen induced Brandon Crawford into a potential double play, but Max Muncy bobbled the ball as he went to throw to second base, and fired late to Jansen covering first. The ball popped out of Jansen’s glove, leaving the bases loaded.
“I was looking at second. Once that ball was hit, I stopped looking at the ball,” Jansen explained of his error. “Kind of had that confidence in your guys that they’re going to turn that play.
“So I was already looking at Corey, next thing I see is the ball right in my face. I kind of did a defensive move but didn’t come up big. It’s all about trying to pick your guys up, too. I should’ve caught it.”
Jansen then uncharacteristically walked Yangervis Solarte to bring in a run. He recovered with a strikeout on three pitches, only to then allow a two-run single to Gerardo Para. Jansen stranded runners at the corners by getting Pablo Sandoval to ground into a game-ending double play.
“I could do a whole lot better,” Jansen said after converting his second save in as many opportunities this season. “I’m a little disappointed with my outing but the good thing is it’s about winning. Come up big, we win the ballgame.
“Continue to just keep pushing; that’s why you play this game. To try and get better every time you go out there and play. You get motivated by the win and continue to get better.”
Jansen dismissed any sense of anxiousness in the pressure-packed situation. “That’s what I get paid to do,” he said. “I can never let that spot get big on me. I was one pitch away, and that’s all I was focusing on with Sandoval. And I got it.
“Like I said, a little disappointed but got to move on and get better tomorrow.”
