It was too good to be true and to be perfectly honest, none of us really believed it would happen.

Between August 26, 2002 through July 5, 2004, former Dodger and 2003 NL Cy Young award winner Eric Gagne recorded a historic 84 consecutive saves. It was an impossible feat that not only stretched the imagination to its limits, it also shattered the previous record of 55 consecutive saves co-held by Hall of Famer John Smoltz and, of course, Gagne. During his incredible run, the (now) 40-year-old Quebec, Canada native struck out 55 percent of the batters he faced. Like I said, it stretched the imagination to its limits.

Many longtime Dodger fans say that the electricity in Dodger Stadium during Gagne’s historic consecutive saves streak has never been matched. (Photo credit – Stephen Dunn)

But on August 26, 2015, current Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen recorded a save against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Two nights later he recorded another one against the Chicago Cubs; and another the next night. In fact, Jansen converted every one of his save opportunities – all 25 of them – since that date … until last night.

After a seesaw battle with the San Diego Padres that included three lead changes – all by home runs – the Dodgers took what appeared to be the final 5-4 lead into the top of the eighth inning on an opposite field home run down the right field line by struggling Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner. Knowing that he had the surefire Jansen available to pitch the bottom of the ninth, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts brought right-hander Pedro Baez in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. But also knowing that Baez has been going through a bit of a rough spell of late and after he gave up a two-out double to Padres slugger Jon Jay, Roberts opted to bring in Jansen for a four-out save – any why wouldn’t he? Not only has Baez been unreliable in such situations, Jansen has been as automatic as they come.

…or so we thought.

After getting out of the eighth inning by striking out the always dangerous Derek Norris (who had already homered once on the night), Jansen returned to the mound to seal the deal in the ninth.

It didn’t happen.

Jansen allowed a leadoff single to Padres first baseman Wil Myers, who was 1 for 3 on the night with a strikeout to that point. He then got two quick strikes on Padres left fielder Melvin Upton Jr. Now keep in mind that Upton was 0 for 3 in the past against Jansen with three strikeouts. I mean, it just doesn’t get any better than this, right?

Wrong.

Upton absolutely crushed Jansen’s 0-2, 92-MPH cutter (that didn’t cut) into “Sun Diego Beach” (formerly known as “The Sand Box”) in right-center field for the walk-off two-run home run to bring Jansen’s streak of 25 consecutive saves to an abrupt end.

Jansen’s first blown save in nine months and only loss of the season proves two things: 1) He is human; and 2) Eric Gagne’s record of 84 consecutive saves is truly one of the greatest records in baseball history and, in all likelihood, will never fall.

Although the thought of Jansen catching and surpassing Gagne’s consecutive saves record was a pipe dream, it was fun while it lasted. Jansen’s streak of 25 consecutive saves ended on Friday night – only 59 short of Gagne’s record of 84. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

But don’t worry, Kenley, we still love you; now more than ever.