Jansen caps LA’s stellar relief with 5-out save

WASHINGTON — As soon as Clayton Kershaw departed after five innings in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, it became clear this was going to be no easy night for the Dodgers. That notion crystallized when, after striking out as a hitter in the top of the ninth inning, Kenley Jansen lumbered back to the mound for his run through the gauntlet: Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth in a one-run game.

A strikeout, a lineout and another whiff later, Jansen earned a five-out save in a 4-3 Dodgers win over the Nationals that featured no scoring whatsoever after the fourth.

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 7   LAD 4, WAS 3 FS1 Gm 2 Oct. 8 4 p.m. LAD @ WSH FS1 Gm 3 Oct. 10 4 or 6 p.m. WAS @ LAD MLBN *Gm 4 Oct. 11 5 or 8 p.m. WAS @ LAD FS1 *Gm 5 Oct. 13 5 or 8 p.m. LAD @ WSH FS1 *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Dodgers | Nationals • Dodgers vs. Nationals NLDS coverage

“When starters go five, we never complain about it,” said Jansen, who also said he would be available for Game 2 on Saturday (4 p.m. ET/1 PT, FS1). “We just go out there and do the job.”

At first glance, Friday’s effort may not have seemed strange for the Dodgers, whose relievers led the Majors in both ERA (3.35) and innings pitched (590 2/3, or an average of around 11 outs per game) during the regular season.

But things tend to unfold chaotically in October — particularly this October, with managers throughout baseball redefining …

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