The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Los Angeles closer Jansen returns to form in Game 6
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen looked like his All-Star self Tuesday night, earning redemption with a six-out save that helped Los Angeles beat the Houston Astros 3-1 to force a Game 7 in the World Series.
Jansen had a blown save and a loss earlier in the Series when he hardly resembled the NL’s top reliever during the regular season. He tied for the league lead with 41 saves and led the majors with a 97.6 save percentage. His 109 strikeouts ranked second in the NL among relievers.
Manager Dave Roberts said before Game 6 that Jansen would probably only be used for three outs. Of course, Roberts also said he wanted starter Rich Hill “to go as long as he can.” That was before Roberts yanked the left-hander after 4⅔ innings.
Jansen stuck around. He got three outs on seven pitches in the eighth, retiring Carlos Correa, Yuli Gurriel and Brian McCann, who struck out. Then he had a long wait on the bench while the Dodgers sent five batters to the plate in the bottom of the eighth.
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was stretching in the bullpen during the long half inning, but Roberts never called his number. Instead, the crowd of 54,128 stood and cheered as Jansen returned for the ninth. Marwin Gonzalez — who hit a tying homer off Jansen in Game 2 — popped up to first base before Jansen struck out former Dodger Josh Reddick and pinch-hitter Carlos Beltran to end it.
Three up, three down — again. Jansen yelled and embraced catcher Austin Barnes as “I Love L.A.” blared.
From his seats near the field, Dodgers great Sandy Koufax cheered. He won Los Angeles’ previous Game 7 with a three-hit shutout to beat the Twins in 1965.
Game 7 was Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, where the home team had a chance to win its first championship since 1988. It’s exactly what Jansen and third baseman Justin Turner sought when they returned to the Dodgers as free agents last offseason.
Jansen was automatic while the Dodgers piled up 104 victories in the regular season. It made his implosion in Game 5 on Sunday a real stunner.
He entered in the bottom of the ninth, after the Dodgers scored three times in the top of the inning to tie it 12-12. He got the game to extras, but hit McCann with a twoout pitch in the 10th before walking George Springer. Alex Bregman then deliv-