Propelled by a pair of late-inning home runs, the Los Angeles Dodgers returned to the win column on Friday, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-2, in the second of a four-game series at Dodger Stadium.
Possessing a one-run lead in the ninth, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen took the mound for the first time in three days and didn’t disappoint. Facing the heart of the Diamondbacks’ lineup, he tossed a scoreless inning en route to recording his 33rd save.
Jansen had previously endured what was arguably his worst stretch of the season, to which he allowed a minimum of one run in each of his last four outings, coupled with four home runs, two losses and one blown save to boot.
The 30-year-old felt considerably better in Friday’s contest, crediting a bullpen session he tossed at Globe Life Park that helped him work out his kinks, via SportsNet LA:
“I felt great, man. I feel good. Like I said, just had to figure it out. Rick Honeycutt is the best. Me and him had a very good bullpen session the day in Texas. Like I said, just got to figure it out, and I did, so that’s a good thing. I feel really good about it. Tip my cap to Goldschmidt; I mean, you can’t do anything better than that. Just stayed out there and battled. A pissed-off Kenley today.”
Jansen further praised Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt for helping him refine his mechanics in the aforementioned bullpen session that took place earlier in the week:
“My front leg was just in and out. I was stepping more toward first base instead of, normally I cross my body. That’s where I kind of figured out, pitching with your lower body you don’t worry about control as much. If my lower part is in the right position, my upper body is going to follow. That’s what Rick Honeycutt took me back to. I watched some tapes of the last two years, and the last two years that’s what I was doing.”
That Jansen overcame his recent struggles against the middle of Arizona’s lineup can’t be overstated, as his success down the stretch will be vital for Los Angeles’ postseason hopes.
The Dodgers will look for similar results on Saturday, as in the event of a win, they’ll jump into a first place tie in the National League West.
