A two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres began with plenty of intrigue as Tuesday’s matchup featured aces Clayton Kershaw and Chris Paddack, and it also marked Manny Machado’s return to Dodger Stadium.
It was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with the Dodgers winning two of the previous three. Their lone loss came in stunning fashion, as the Padres used well-placed bunts to mount a rally in the ninth inning.
Kenley Jansen retired two batters in a row after the bases were loaded, but San Diego completed their walk-off win when Hunter Renfroe crushed a grand slam to the second deck in left field. Despite the loss, Jansen was comfortable with his pitch selection and sequence in the at-bat.
Jansen got the opportunity to face Renfroe again on Tuesday night, getting him to fly out to en route to earning his 13th save of the season. After the game, Jansen discussed the excitement he felt getting to see Renfroe again and put that walk-off grand slam behind him, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I mean, those guys are good. It was awesome facing him again. That’s the guy that since I gave up that homer, I wanted that matchup again. Like I said, I won that match and I just have to continue to stay consistent.”
Jansen has been a victim of the long ball this season, giving up four of them in his first 19.1 innings. Two of the homers he’s allowed cost Jansen a save, with one leading to a loss. Overall in 19 appearances, Jansen has pitched to a 4.19 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and only four walks.
While Renfroe got the better of Jansen in that game at Petco Park, the Dodgers’ closer has otherwise fared well. Renfroe is just 1-for-8 with five strikeouts in his career against Jansen.
The main thing with Jansen moving forward will be keeping the ball in the ballpark. He has established himself as one of the best closers in baseball over the last decade, but the home-run ball is certainly something he has been susceptible to of late, especially in the postseason.
If he and the Dodgers want to win their first World Series since 1988, then Jansen will need to be at his best in October. He still has plenty of time to figure things out and Tuesday night’s save was a step in the right direction.
