Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Kenley Jansen Still Fighting It

The Dodgers defeated the Texas Rangers 8-4 on Tuesday night.  Despite finishing off the game, Kenley Jansen struggled pitching the ninth inning.

The Dodgers won their fourth straight game on Tuesday night as they beat the Rangers in the opener of a quick two-game series.  Despite pitching with an 8-2 lead, Kenley Jansen continued to struggle on the mound.  This was the first game Jansen pitched since he stopped taking the heart medication that he said makes him feel fatigued.

In one inning of work, Jansen allowed three base hits and a walk while allowing two runs to score.  The damage could have been worse as Kenley worked himself into a bases loaded situation before inducing a broken bat double play to end the game.

The good news for Jansen is that his velocity was around 93-94 miles per hour consistently.  The bad news is that Kenley struggled with his command.  Jansen continues to fight it as he battles to regain his ace closer form and the struggle is obvious as Jansen showed rare emotion when he struck out Joey Gallo.  If the Dodgers are going to have an adequate bullpen they need Jansen to regain his form.

Other news…

More from LA Dodgers News

• Giants laughably sign pitcher that Dodgers absolutely own
• Dave Roberts’ quote about Padres in NLDS should motivate Dodgers
• Former Astro seemingly takes uncalled for shot at Cody Bellinger after Cubs deal
• Dodgers’ 2023 lineup without Trea Turner isn’t as impressive as it should be
• Recapping who Dodgers gained and lost in Rule 5 Draft

• Ross Stripling was not activated off the DL on Tuesday as expected and the new hope is that Stripling will be ready to come back when rosters expand on Saturday.  Julio Urias is also coming along slower than expected and now he is not expected to rejoin the team until the middle of September.
• Manny Machado went 2-4 last night with four RBI’s and all of a sudden Mr. Machado is producing like the elite run producer we all expected.  In his last three games, Machado has driven in nine runs.  This is exactly what the slumping Dodger offense needed.
• A pair of top Dodger prospects continued their strong offensive campaigns on Tuesday.  For the Tulsa Drillers, Gavin Lux went 2-4 and is now hitting .337 in Double-A.  In Triple-A, Alex Verdugo hit his tenth home run of the season to go along with his stellar .331 batting average.  Verdugo should be up when rosters expand Saturday.

•  The Dodger bullpen turned in a solid outing last night outside of Kenley Jansen as they pitched four innings allowing just one hit and struck out four.  Caleb Ferguson, Pedro Baez, Scott Alexander, and Pat Venditte combined to put up those four scoreless innings.