The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 8-4 on Saturday at Fenway Park to even the series at one game each.
In the eighth inning, with a two-run lead, two outs and runners on the corners, Boston removed Greg Weissert from the game and turned to closer Kenley Jansen to get the four-out save. However, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said it was Jansen's call, not his.
“The big man called in the middle of the eighth,” Cora said (via. MassLive). “He made the call. I didn’t make the call. And he’s like, ‘I’m in.’'”
Jansen didn't make the physical call to the dugout from the bullpen, but he got bullpen coach Kevin Walker to ring Cora up and put the closer.
“Playing against the Yankees, I told our bullpen coach, Walk, just whenever you see Weiss in trouble, call down,” Jansen said. “And he called down and I started warming up. Good communication between us and AC. Give me that ball. I want to just come out there and stop that inning right away so it doesn’t (give) the momentum to them.
“I don’t want to lose that game. The guys grind their butts off today and when you see all your players hit all the cylinders and play great baseball, you want to be a part to stop the momentum from the other side so you can keep that win.”
Jansen got Anthony Volpe to fly out to end the eighth and sat Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Alex Verdugo 1-2-3 in the final frame to earn the save and give Boston the win over their division rivals.
The 36-year-old has been solid for the Red Sox this year, and whether he's here at the end of the season or not, he looks to be having one of his best seasons, even if he's not getting the opportunities he's used to.
