The hand that brought a gold glove and a platinum glove to Kevin Kiermaier will spend the next few weeks in a cast.
Kiermaier, the Tampa Bay Rays’ star center fielder, broke two metacarpal bones in his left (glove) hand Sunday. For the Rays, it was a deeper loss than the 5-4 game to the Detroit Tigers. Kiermaier is among the most popular players, a high-energy, defensively gifted outfielders.
He broke the hand while diving on a shallow fly ball in the fifth.
“It’s unfortunate, obviously,” said manager Kevin Cash. “It quieted our entire clubhouse because of the energy he brings on a daily basis.”
The Rays got a quality start from Drew Smyly, who pitched well until giving up a two-run homer to James McCann in the seventh. Reliever Steve Geltz then gave up a two-run homer to J.D. Martinezto make it 5-1, the fifth home run he’s given up in 16 games.
The Rays came back on a two-run triple and a strikeout by Evan Longoria where the ball bounded away from the plate.
The Rays’ Chris Archer pitches in the finale of the series today.
