Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen Not Focused On Moving Up Saves List
As Zack greinke and Clayton Kershaw have grabbed plenty of headlines for their respective dominant seasons and scoreless innings streaks, Henley Jansen has quietly gone about his business while further etching his name in Los Angeles Dodgers history.
The catcher-turned-closer converted his 23rd save of the season Friday. It was Jansen’s 129th career save, which is tied for second with Jeff Shaw behind only Eric Gagne on the Dodgers all-time saves list.
Earlier in the week Jansen shared some of the added motivation and excitement that comes with saving games for Kershaw, who’s widely viewed as one of the team leaders. On Friday, Jansen largely dismissed his personal accomplishment. “I really don’t try to pay attention on those,” he said.
“But it just feels good to save the day. That’s all I care about. I just try to get as much saves and try to help the team win and get to the playoffs.” Jansen needed to work through the heart of the Cincinnati Reds’ order — composed of Todd Frazier, Jay Bruce and Marlon Byrd.
“It’s a pretty good lineup,” Jansen said of the Reds. “Those guys are good. Facing Frazier and Bruce, talk about experience. It was a good battle.” After missing the first six weeks of the season Jansen has quickly made up for lost time.
He didn’t allow a run until his ninth appearance in what’s been the lone blown save of the season. While the Curaçao native has been largely lights out for the Dodgers, there was a small stretch where Jansen allowed the ninth inning to get interesting.
“I feel good about it,” he said Friday of his mechanics and command. “My confidence feels really well. Just got to keep going.”
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