Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers for a closer look at Kenley Jansen’s role

For years, the Los Angeles Dodgers knew that Kenley Jansen was waiting to jog out of the bullpen to finish if they could only lead to the ninth inning. After Jansen prevailed again on Wednesday, the formula for manager Dave Roberts is no longer that simple.

Jansen competed in Game 2 of the National League Division Series to score the last three outs against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers were leading 6-3. Los Angeles scored a 6-5 win, but it was Joe Kelly, not Jansen, who scored the save.

Jansen initially beat San Diego outfielder Wil Myers with a fastball, but then gave a sharp single to Jake Cronenworth and an RBI double to Mitch Moreland, which reduced the Dodgers’ lead to two runs. Austin Nola was then fouled, but a Trent Grisham single plated Moreland and got Roberts up the hill to draw his longtime closer.

When asked if Jansen would continue to close the games, Roberts said, “I’ll keep thinking about it. I thought there were some good throws in there.”

“There was no conversation,” said Roberts. “I made up my mind to go to Joe at this point. My love and respect for [Jansen] certainly hasn’t changed and he feels terrible. He wants to be the type, and he’s proven it time and time again. But I know he’s thrilled that we won a ball game, a great ball game. And it was kind of like that. “

Kelly moved on to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, who were just missing several narrow fields before putting Eric Hosmer on second base for a groundout at the end of the game. With the win, the Dodgers went 2-0 into the best-of-five series, with Game 3 scheduled for Thursday.

“Got into a big situation and Joe made some great pitches,” said Hosmer. “You have to tip your hat sometimes. It stinks that you have to do this.”

Clayton Kershaw, who took victory on Wednesday night after allowing three deserved runs in six innings, said there was “never a doubt” in the ninth.

“This is how Joe Kelly rolls,” said Kershaw. “Joe likes to make it interesting for us.”

Jansen has been the Dodgers’ foremost seamstress since 2012 but has shown signs of declining over the past two seasons. In 2019, he saved 33 games but recorded a career-worst 3.71 ERA. Jansen made a strong start this season, but gave up seven runs in two consecutive games in September and cast doubt on his reliability for the playoffs despite ending the season with six goalless games in a row.

Jansen had an average speed of 93 to 94 mph earlier this season, but rarely topped 90 mph on his 30 pitches (seven fastballs and 23 cutters) on Wednesday nights. There were 11 pitches running at least 90 mph and only three above 92 mph.

His appearance on Wednesday didn’t help his case – or at least it gave Roberts a lot to think about.

“It was a lot for him: 30 spaces to get two outs,” said Robert. “I know he’s disappointed too.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.