Jansen caught Kershaw's 1st pro save in minors
Kenley Jansen had witnessed Clayton Kershaw close out a game in relief before.
It just happened to be 10 years ago.
In 2006 while playing in the Gulf Coast League as Los Angeles Dodgers prospects, Jansen was the catcher for Kershaw as the left-hander converted his first save of pro ball.
On Thursday, Kershaw picked up his first career save in the majors after relieving Jansen in the ninth inning of Game 5 of the NLDS.
Jansen, who transitioned to a pitcher in 2009, was tasked with the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, but was unable to convert the nine-out save. When he allowed two runners to reach base with one out in the ninth, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts summoned Kershaw from the pen, and the left-hander retired the next two batters for his first career save in the majors.
The Dodgers advanced to the NLCS with the 5-4 win over the Washington Nationals.
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