BOSTON -- Kevin Kiermaier's arm deserves every ounce of respect the Boston Red Sox showed it Tuesday night.
In time, perhaps his bat will merit the same consideration.
Kiermaier entered Tuesday night with a .521 OPS, tied for 93rd among 109 American League players with at least 35 plate appearances. So, when the Tampa Bay Rays' Gold Glove center fielder led off the 10th inning of a scoreless game, there wasn't any reason for hard-throwing Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes not to challenge him with one of his blazing fastballs.