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Dodgers Highlights: Justin Turner’s Home Runs & Kenley Jansen’s Game-Ending Catch

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers had an unexpected bullpen game as Tony Gonsolin lacked command in his 2021 debut, but Justin Turner and a string of relief pitchers helped lead the way to a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Turner entered the night a career 15-for-31 (.484) against Pirates starter Tyler Anderson. It was the third-highest batting average in an active batter-pitcher matchup with a minimum of 30 at-bats.

Turner quickly raised it with a solo home run in the first inning, and again in the third with a long ball to left field. Of his 17 career hits against Anderson to that point, seven went for extra bases (four doubles; three home runs).

The multi-homer game was Turner’s first of the season and 11th in his career, of which 10 of those have come as a member of the Dodgers.

The Dodgers had traffic later in the game but were unable to cash in on their opportunities, which kept the pressure on their bullpen.

Victor Gonzalez got them out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning and worked a clean third. He was followed by David Price, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen. Kelly and Jansen pitched on back-to-back nights, with the latter converting a four-out save.

Jansen ended the game by snagging a line drive off the bat of Ke’Bryan Hayes, stranding the tying run at second base. “That was fun,” Jansen said of his play. “That was a quick rush. The adrenaline, everything.”

Dodgers on YouTube

The Dodgers now go for a sweep at PNC Park with a 9:30 a.m. PT start time for the series finale. It will air exclusively on YouTube as the MLB Game of the Week.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com