Jansen: 'I didn't give up one hard hit' during blown save in Game 4
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was left wondering what happened after blowing a save and taking the loss in walk-off fashion Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of the World Series.
"I didn't give up one hard hit," Jansen said postgame, according to Bill Plunkett of MLB.com. "What can I do? ... I threw the pitches where I wanted to. Credit to the hitters. A broken-bat single then a bloop single. Ain't no time to hang our heads. Tomorrow is another day."
The Rays leveled the Fall Classic at two games apiece after outfielder Brett Phillips singled off Jansen with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Los Angeles' defense committed two errors on the play, which allowed the tying and winning runs to score.
UNBELIEVABLE. 😱#WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/kkzidC2d95
— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2020
Jansen recorded two outs but surrendered two hits and a walk in Game 4. He now owns a 5.14 ERA with two saves during the 2020 playoffs and a 10.80 ERA in the World Series after allowing an earned run in both of his appearances.
Manager Dave Roberts has openly questioned using Jansen as the closer during this postseason, as the club's all-time saves leader also struggled in the NLDS against the San Diego Padres.
"We've been here before," Jansen said. "Ain't no time to hang our head. We've got Kersh going tomorrow."
Los Angeles will send ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound in Sunday's pivotal Game 5 showdown against Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow.