WATCH: Toronto Blue Jays Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier Robs Home Run vs. Detroit Tigers
New Toronto Blue Jays centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier made an unreal catch in his first game in Toronto as a member of the Jays.
On Tuesday night in the Blue Jays home opener, Kiermaier robbed Detroit Tigers cleanup hitter Kerry Carpenter of a home run.
You can watch the play below, which kept the game a scoreless tie in the top of the second inning.
Thats pretty textbook there.... Kiermaier goes back slowly, looks back to find the fence, times the jump perfectly and brings the home run back, much to the delight of Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah.
This kind of robbery is nothing new for Kiermaier, who has long been regarded as one of the best defensive outfielders in the game. The 32-year-old is a three-time gold glover, last winning in 2019. He's in his first year with Toronto after spending 10 years with the division rival Tampa Bay Rays.
What makes the play even more impressive is that Toronto changed the Rogers Centre this year, so Kiermaier has never played in the stadium with this orientation. The team brought the fences in and shortened the wall in center. Previously, the wall would have been too high for this play to have been made.
He replaces George Springer in that position for the Jays as Springer has moved over to right field this season to make room for Kiermaier.
In addition to great defense and good speed, he brings a balance to the Jays lineup offensively. Last year, Toronto was extremely right-handed, but by adding Kiermaier and Brandon Belt, they can make life even tougher for opposing pitchers.
That showed on Tuesday night as the Jays pummeled the Tigers, 9-3. Toronto hit five home runs in the win, getting blasts from Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk, Matt Chapman, Springer and Kiermaier himself.
The two teams will play again tonight at 7:07 p.m. ET.
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