Red Sox’s Kenley Jansen Reflects On ‘Huge Honor’ After Six-Out Save

The Red Sox and their star closer entered the MLB All-Star break on a high note.

Boston wrapped up the unofficial first half of the season with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park on Sunday afternoon. The conclusion of the contest was particularly momentous for Kenley Jansen, who recorded the first six-out save of his 15-year big league career and made a bit of history. By punching out the side in the eighth inning, Jansen jumped seven-time All-Star Billy Wagner and took hold of sixth place on MLB’s all-time list for strikeouts by relief pitchers.

The accomplishment meant quite a bit to the 36-year-old right-hander.

“It’s a huge honor,” Jansen told reporters after Boston’s 5-4 win. “Wagner is still, to me, the best lefty to ever do it as a reliever. For my name to be there now is just, it’s awesome. It feels unbelievable and that all (will) be a motivation for me to just get in the gym tomorrow when I get home, put in some work, get that body right and you’ll be ready for anything.”

The Red Sox will enjoy some downtime while the league goes on pause, but Jansen on Sunday made sure to set the tone for the final two-plus months of the regular season. The four-time All-star wants Boston to stay “humble and hungry” as the club tries to “keep proving everybody wrong” and clinch a playoff spot.

Jansen will be in familiar surroundings when the Red Sox return to action Friday, as Boston will be in Los Angeles for a weekend set against the Dodgers.