St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras got in Kenley Jansen's head, and it led to the Red Sox closer blowing his second straight save.
Give Willson Contreras credit — understanding the pitch clock is tough enough, using it to one's advantage in the heat of a ninth-inning comeback in impressive.
Contreras earned his way on base after Jansen was called for two pitch clock violations in a single at-bat. The violations, per manager Alex Cora, were due to Jansen getting set prior to the eight-second mark, when Contreras is required to enter the batters box.
Kenley Jansen-Willson Contreras at bat, explained
After the game, Jansen admitted he was focusing too much on Contreras eyes, rather than where his feet were at that moment.
"That's the mistake that I did," Jansen said, per The Athletic (subscription required). "And I let that throw me off. It just messed up my whole game."
As Contreras noted postgame, closers like to get into a rhythm. When they are thrown off their game, even a little, it can impact the end result.
"Well, that's what the pitch clock allows you to do," Contreras told reporters, per Bally Sports video. "I know some closers, they like to get their rhythm, but my job as a batter is to not let him get into that rhythm. I was letting the clock get down to eight. It's not my fault. It's something in use for me in favor for the team, and it worked out today."
The two blown saves come just after Jansen notched the 400th of his career against his former team, the Atlanta Braves. It also ruined a great start from Chris Sale, who is starting to look like his former self in recent weeks.
"It sucks because I learned (from) experience today (about) the rule," Jansen said. "And it cost me a game."
Hopefully, it doesn't cost the Red Sox too much in the standings.
