Tigers' Kenley Jansen escapes trouble again, moves into third place on MLB's all-time saves list

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Tigers' Kenley Jansen escapes trouble again, moves into third place on MLB's all-time saves list originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

An escape artist throughout his 17-year MLB career, Detroit Tigers' Kenley Jansen opened the top of the ninth inning Tuesday night by allowing a Lane Thomas single. The Kansas City Royals baserunner stole second ???? pitches later and advanced to third on Salvador Perez's groundout.

Attempting to protect a 2-1 advantage at Comerica Park, Jansen faced Vinnie Pasquantino with a drawn-in infield. Connecting on an 86-mph slider, the Royals first baseman grounded to second baseman Zach McKinstry, who checked the baserunner back to the bag, keeping him stationary.

With two outs, Starling Marte flew out to center field. Threat over.

Jansen escaped trouble -- again -- as the Tigers claimed their fourth win in a row and the long-time closer earned his 479th career save, moving into third place on MLB's all-time list.

Tigers' Kenley Jansen stands alone in third place​

Jansen moved ahead of Hall of Famer Lee Smith and only trails all-time leader Mariano Rivera (652 saves) and runner-up Trevor Hoffman (601).

The likely future Hall of Famer made up for not switching positions sooner.

Nearly 20 seasons ago, Jansen toiled in the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system, waiting for his initial major-league break as a catcher.

"Chase whatever you want in baseball," Tigers broadcaster Jason Beneitti said. "This game delivers that message to us over and over again."

Jansen started at catcher for Team Netherlands during the 2009 World Baseball Classic and following additional offensive struggles in the Dodgers' chain, he made the move to pitcher. He struck out 19 minor-leaguer hitters during his first 11.2 innings as a professional pitcher.

Seventeen minor-league appearances later, the Dodgers called up Jansen in July 2010 and earned his first four saves.

After escaping a dead-end career as a minor-league catcher, Jansen continues chasing what he wants as a big leaguer.

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