After Kenley Jansen was booed off the field Wednesday night, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called out Dodgers fans for it.
With a win over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers would have pulled even with their chief rival for the lead in the NL West. But closer Kenley Jansen blew a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, surrendering a two-run homer to Wilmer Flores before recording an out.
Jansen would surrender a double and walk two to load the bases before being replaced by Victor Gonzalez, who walked a batter himself to give the Giants a two-run lead they did not surrender.
Dodgers fans booed Jensen off the mound after the blown save, and manager Dave Roberts was not thrilled about it after the game.
Dave Roberts calls out Dodgers fans for booing Kenley Jansen
“No one hurts more than he does, to be quite honest. He’s worked really hard to kind of get back, should’ve been an All-Star this year, and he’s had a fantastic season. … He was looking forward to pitching at home. And so for it to not go well — yeah, I’m disappointed to hear [the boos]. Certainly. He’s not gonna say it, but I am.”
Jensen has blown back-to-back save opportunities, equaling the number of save opportunities he blew in his first 23 chances this season (36 appearances). Last Sunday against the Rockies was his first blown save since May 5. Before that performance against Colorado, he hadn’t even allowed a run since May 28 (a 15 appearance span).
Jansen has drawn criticism for his inconsistency over the last few seasons, and falling short when the lights have been brightest in the postseason. But he is having a better season in 2021, however flimsy it might look (3.62 FIP, 5.7 BB/9), with a 2.15 ERA even after his two recent rough outings.
Falling short against their most-hated rival with a share of the division lead on the line fueled the ire of Dodgers’ fans toward Jansen Wednesday night. Jansen’s comments after the game show he knows it’s the nature of his job, even as his manager felt it was his duty to pass along disappointment in the fans.