Owings takes Jansen deep at buzzer

3-run shot with 2 outs gives Dodgers closer blown save

April 3rd, 2018

PHOENIX -- The game felt over. The D-backs, who hadn't scored a run since the fourth inning, were trailing the Dodgers by three and down to their last out against All-Star closer .
The D-backs then received life when and A.J. Pollock drew back-to-back walks. But it was Chris Owings who delivered the blow, hammering a three-run home run into the left-field seats to tie the game, 6-6.
Owings' shot made it possible for Monday night's series opener -- an 8-7 D-backs win in 15 innings -- to become the longest game ever played at Chase Field, clocking in at five hours, 46 minutes.

"It was two really good at-bats before me. And just looking at [Jansen's] misses -- kind of up and away -- I was thinking he'd need to get back in the zone. That pitch was right where I was kind of looking," Owings said. "Definitely got us back in the game, and from there, the rest is history."
Jansen has won the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award two seasons in a row. In 2017, he gave up just five home runs in 68 1/3 innings pitched. He didn't suffer his first blown save until late July, after converting 24 straight save opportunities.
"You're down to your final out against Kenley Jansen and you don't feel like you have much of a chance," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said after the game.
On top of Jansen's track record, Owings was previously 1-for-7 against the closer, his only hit being a triple. But he wasn't intimidated. "Maybe if I was a rookie in the big leagues, but this is going to be my fifth year in the big leagues, so I think the intimidation factor -- we're a little past that," Owings said.
Owings entered the game 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. But he was hitless for the night before he stepped into the batter's box to face Jansen.
That changed instantly.
"[Owings] a very potent hitter, he can drive the ball out of the ballpark at any time if you make a mistake to him," Lovullo said. "Credit to him for walking up there and being ready. It was a key blow."