Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Kenley Jansen started a game-ending double play by fielding a grounder with his back turned

As a former Minor League catcher, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has more experience in the field than most pitchers. Since he's spent his career striking out over a batter per inning, he hasn't had many opportunities to show it off.
Well, with one out in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Rangers, Jansen showed off his reflexes and instincts with the glove that made him a professional catcher. His body was turned away from the ball when he fielded the come-back grounder from Shin-Soo Choo to start a game-ending double play:

The benefit of Jansen's no-look snag was that it made his throw to second routine. "At least something [went] my way," joked Jansen, who allowed four of the first five batters he faced to reach and two runs to score. "I'll be all right."
As anyone who has tried to tackle a to-do list knows, the key is to get the hard tasks out of the way first. With his no-look, behind-the-back grab, Jansen most certainly did that.

BarberJordan
beephero
AP_702417634020
NYC