Kevin Kiermaier robs the Astros with a diving catch (video)

Kevin Kiermaier takes away at least one run from the Astros in Game 3

The frustrated Houston Astros can’t seem to buy a hit so far in the ALCS. Kevin Kiermaier single-handedly made sure that continued in Game 3 on Tuesday.

In the bottom of the third inning, with Michael Brantley standing on second base and Alex Bregman on first, Astros shortstop Carlos Correa stepped to the plate to face Tampa Bay Rays starter Ryan Yarbrough with two outs. Correa connected with the first pitch, an 84 mph cutter, lining a ball to right-center field for what appeared to be a sure hit that would drive in at least one run.

Kiermaier had other ideas. The Rays three-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder ranged to his left, quickly covering 64 feet, before laying out and making a diving catch to rob Correa and end the inning.

Correa’s liner had an expected batting average of .440. Kiermaier had only a 20 percent chance of catching it, according to Statcast, a five-star catch. He led the Majors this year with three five-star catches.

The Astros came away from the inning empty, but they still led the Rays 1-0 after Jose Altuve’s home run in the first inning. Two batters after Altuve’s homer, Bregman hit a shot 394 feet to straightaway center. Kiermaier was there to catch this one, too, making a leaping catch at the wall to take away a potential home run.

The Astros must be wondering what more they have to do to get a ball to fall in against the Rays defense. In Game 2 on Monday, they had 11 balls hit harder than 95 mph go for outs; Bregman alone had five hard-hit balls but went 0-5. The Rays opportunistic defense and sloppy fielding by the Astros is the main reason why Tampa Bay leads the series 2-0 despite being out-hit 19-10 through the first two games.