Jansen wraps up first victory for Dodgers

After the family of legend Jackie Robinson threw out the ceremonial first pitch, two aces battled for the win but the Dodgers stayed at the right side of the score. A vastly dominating Clayton Kershaw was practically unhittable as he bested Houston’s ace Dallas Keuchel. Kenley Jansen did what he normally does: shut the door for the opponent. Final score: Dodgers 3 – Astros 1.

In a very quick game (2 hours and 28 minutes), the Dodgers scored twice on a home run. George Springer didn’t hesitate as he saw the very first pitch of Dallas Keuchel in the game. With one swing he opened the score as he slammed the ball over the left field fence. Five innings later, Keuchel recorded two quick outs but failed to get out of the inning before giving up more runs. After retiring Austin Barnes and Clayton Kershaw on groundouts, he gave up a walk to Chris Taylor that was followed by another home run, this time hit by Justin Turner who jacked a 1-2 offering over the left field wall as well.

From the offensive point of view, nothing much happened as the only run Houston scored also came with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, hit by Alex Bregman. For the rest both pitching staffs were dominating the game. Houston couldn’t get a grip on Kershaw’s pitches and collected only three hits. The Dodgers did a better but with six hits, all given up by Keuchel, they also were pretty much limited by the Houston pitching staff as well.

Kershaw became the first pitcher in World Series history who fanned more than ten batters, didn’t give up a walk and allowed three hits or less.

And then the sole Dutch/Curaçao representative in the 2017 World Series: Kenley Jansen.  Jansen, who is one of the best earning professional sporters of the Kingdom of the Netherlands but still would hardly be recognized if he walked in the Dutch streets, did what he mostly does. In the final inning he retired the side. Jansen struck out George Springer, retired Alex Bregman on a lineout to center field and retired Jose Altuve on a flyout to right field.