Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen sets MLB record for strikeouts without a walk

After Brewers closer Corey Knebel blew a save to spoil a stellar outing by Jimmy Nelson, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was put in a position to set a new MLB record.

Jansen worked the final two innings of the Dodgers' 2-1 victory and struck out four batters to get the win in the 12-inning affair at Miller Park.

The 29-year-old reliever not only improved to 3-0 on the season, he now owns the MLB mark for most strikeouts to begin the season without a walk. Jansen has 39 strikeouts over 22 innings and has yet to issue a base on balls.

He also helped the Dodgers set a franchise record for strikeouts in a game. After starter Clayton Kershaw K'd 14 Brewers batters and eclipsed the 2,000-strikeout plateau for his career, relievers Pedro Baez and Grant Dayton combined for eight strikeouts before Jansen entered to give the Dodgers pitchers 26 strikeouts for the game.

Jonathan Villar and Jesús Aguilar both struck out four times for the Brewers, who held a 1-0 lead entering the ninth inning before Knebel surrendered a game-tying home run to Yasmani Grandal to send the game to extra innings. Brewers manager Craig Counsell inexplicably pulled Nelson after eight shut out innings despite 11 strikeouts without a walk on 101 pitches.

That opened the door for Jansen's record-setting night.