Although Clayton Kershaw didn’t turn in another wire-to-wire performance on Monday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers still got plenty from their ace and enough run support to defeat the Washington Nationals in the three-game series opener.
The victory included Kenley Jansen converting the 162nd save of his career, which moved him into first place on the Dodgers’ all-time saves leaders list. Jansen, a converted catcher, passed the mark set by Eric Gagné.
“He congratulated me and said he feels really great that I passed him,” Jansen said of a phone conversation he had with Gagné after reaching the milestone. “It means a lot to me when he says to keep going, stay healthy and keep getting better. It’s a great feeling to hear those words from him.
“It’s great having him around. I loved having him in Spring Training and just talking to him. That’s a great guy to learn from day in and day out.”
Jansen tied Gagné’s mark on June 15 but a save situation avoided the Curacao native over the next handful of games. “Once you tie it there’s so much more in your head. For me, I just wanted to get it over with so I could focus on helping my team win,” Jansen said.
“It’s still an awesome feeling, to pass one of the top-five closers in history. “It means a lot to play for the Dodgers, such a historic team. I’m honored to play for the Dodgers. To be part of Dodgers’ history is impressive. I’m really humble and grateful for it.”
For Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts, he had the unique perspective of being teammates with Gagné and now Jansen’s manager. “He loves being a Dodger. To do it at home was special,” Roberts said of Jansen’s historic feat.
For as much as he’s accomplished in recent years, an All-Star Game appearance and national notoriety elude him. Kershaw, however, reiterated Jansen’s importance to the club. “He’s really good. We’ve been spoiled. It just feels like when the ninth inning rolls around, we have a win. And you can’t take that for granted,” Kershaw said.
“I’m happy for him. He’s had a great career here so far, and hopefully there is a lot more to come.” Kershaw previously pointed to Jansen’s continued success as reason he tends to get overlooked.
Jansen this season is 3-2 with 20 saves, a 1.53 ERA, 1.59 FIP and 0.72 WHIP.
