Kiermaier lays out for run-saving catch

ST. PETERSBURG -- Kevin Kiermaier continued to make the unbelievable look routine on Thursday night when he made a run-saving catch in the fifth inning of the Rays' 2-1 win over the Red Sox.

"It's amazing the ground that that man can cover," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "It's a good feeling to know when a ball's hit up in center field and you don't think it's going out of the ballpark, we're pretty confident it's going to be caught."

Jake Odorizzi found himself in a jam after Xander Bogaerts singled with two outs and Sandy Leon followed with a walk to bring Mookie Betts to the plate.

The Red Sox center fielder hit a sinking liner to center. Kiermaier charged then dove at the last minute to make the catch to prevent one run and possibly two from scoring to maintain the 1-1 tie.

"Bad jump right there," Kiermaier said. "Mookie just barrels up everything and that was one where I thought I saw it come off a little harder than what it did. I took a few steps back, then I reacted. I liked my chances where the ball was.

"I knew once I made that bad read, I had to make up for it. Once I was committed to diving, I knew I had a chance. Thankfully, it went in the glove. Good catch. I was happy with that. But the read itself, that bugged me a little bit."