Jansen earned the save in Friday's 9-7 win over the Yankees, working around a pair of hits while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
The Yankees made things interesting in the ninth with a pair of one-out singles. However, Jansen would strikeout DJ LeMahieu before coaxing a game-ending groundout from Anthony Volpe to secure his 20th save. Jansen hadn't pitched since Sunday, as he didn't travel with the Red Sox for their series in Colorado earlier this week due to a pre-existing heart condition. Prior to his absence, Jansen had allowed five runs over his previous three appearances (four innings) The veteran closer now sports a 3.06 ERA this season with a 1.19 WHIP and 40:14 K:BB across 35.1 innings.
Red Sox's Kenley Jansen: Not traveling to Colorado
Rotowire
Jansen said that Sunday that he won't travel with the Red Sox to Colorado for the club's three-game series with the Rockies this week due to his pre-existing heart condition, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Jansen has dealt with atrial fibrillation throughout his career and will remain in Boston when the Red Sox kick off their series in Denver on Monday. The altitude is perceived to be a risk for the team's closer, so he'll get a few days off. Boston is expected to operate with only 25 players on their major-league roster for the series, and in Jansen's absence, Brennan Bernardino and Zack Kelly could be candidates to scoop up any save chances that might come about.
Jansen allowed one run on two hits and a walk, picking up a blown save in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Dodgers.
Jansen ceded a leadoff home run to former Red Sox and Dodgers teammate Enrique Hernandez in the bottom of the ninth, forcing extra frames. It was the second straight game that Boston's bullpen coughed up a late lead. The blown save was just the second of the season for Jansen, who has allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over his last three innings.
Red Sox's Kenley Jansen: Collects rare two-inning save
Rotowire
Jansen tossed two innings Sunday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk to pick up the save against the Royals. He struck out three.
Jansen struck out the side in the eighth, then battled through the ninth, allowing a run but inducing a game-ending groundout with the tying run on second. While he had accomplished the feat previously in the postseason, it was the first regular-season two-inning save of Jansen's 15-year career. The 36-year-old reliever was not named to the American League All-Star roster, but he has put together another All-Star-caliber campaign with 19 saves, a 2.16 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and 38 strikeouts over 33.1 innings.
