'This can't be happening' Kim Hye-seong's 'shocking throwing error' → U.S. broadcast team harshly criticizes: "We have never seen a scene like this before"

*This content was translated by AI.

They say even monkeys fall from trees. Kim Hye-seong (27), a utility player for the LA Dodgers known for his top-tier defense, committed a throwing error rarely seen in Major League Baseball. He attempted a sidearm throw in an ordinary situation, but the ball slipped badly from his hand. The U.S. broadcast team also harshly criticized the play.

On the 10th (Korean time), Kim Hye-seong started at shortstop and batted eighth in the Dodgers' home game against the Atlanta Braves at the UCLA Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, U.S., recording 3 at-bats with no hits, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, and 1 error.

After this game, Kim Hye-seong's season statistics stand at 28 games played, a batting average of 0.301 (73 at-bats, 22 hits), 1 home run, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 8 RBIs, 10 runs scored, 8 walks, 15 strikeouts, 5 stolen bases (1 failed), an on-base percentage of 0.366, a slugging percentage of 0.411, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.777.

The Dodgers' starting lineup for the day was Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Will Smith (catcher), Kyle Tucker (right fielder), Andy Pages (center fielder), Max Muncy (third baseman), Teoscar Hernandez (left fielder), Kim Hye-seong (shortstop), and Alex Freeland (second baseman). Blake Snell was the starting pitcher.

In response, the Atlanta Braves set their starting lineup as Dansby Swanson (left fielder), Drake Baldwin (designated hitter), AJ Albies (second baseman), Matt Olson (first baseman), Austin Riley (third baseman), Michael Harris (center fielder), Sean Murphy (catcher), Eli White (right fielder), and Jorge Mateo (shortstop). Spencer Strider was the starting pitcher.

Kim Hye-seong's defensive error occurred in the bottom of the third inning with two outs and no runners on base. White, batting with a 2-2 count, hit a routine grounder toward the shortstop off Snell's fifth pitch. Kim Hye-seong fielded the ball calmly and threw it to first base with a motion nearly resembling an underhand throw. However, the ball slipped from his hand and flew high over the head of first baseman Freeman. Freeman did not even attempt to catch it. As a result, the ball went off course.

Fortunately, the ball did not enter the dugout, and no safe advance was awarded. The official record is a throwing error by Kim Hye-seong. This was his fourth error of the season and his seventh career error. Kim Hye-seong committed three errors last season while playing only at second base, and this season he has recorded four errors while playing exclusively at shortstop.

The SportsNet LA broadcast team, which covered the Dodgers game, harshly criticized the play, stating, "A routine play turned into a shortstop error. We have never seen a scene like this before (We haven't seen this)," and added, "It looks like he failed to grip the ball properly the moment he took it out of his glove."

After committing the error, Kim Hye-seong appeared visibly dejected, showing a disappointed expression. Nevertheless, Snell, who was on the mound, maintained his composure. Although he allowed a stolen base to White, he struck out the following batter, Mateo, looking to end the inning himself.

Kim Hye-seong also failed to show any notable performance at the plate. In his first at-bat in the bottom of the third inning, he led off and was retired on a fourth-pitch looking strikeout. Later in the bottom of the fifth inning, with one out and a runner on first, he hit a grounder to the shortstop on the third pitch. In the eighth inning, he led off again and drew a walk, but was thrown out at second base during a double play hit by the following batter, Freeland.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Dodgers trailing 2-7, the final offensive opportunity arose. With two outs and a runner on first, Kim Hye-seong hit a grounder toward first base and sprinted. The opposing pitcher then moved to cover the bag, and a play unfolded at first base. The initial call was safe. However, Atlanta challenged the call, and video review revealed that the pitcher's foot touched the base faster than Kim Hye-seong's foot, overturning the call to out. The game ultimately ended with a 2-7 loss for the Dodgers.

Snell, who made his first start of the season after recovering from a shoulder injury, gave up 6 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts over 3 innings while allowing 5 runs (4 earned), becoming the losing pitcher. In contrast, Atlanta's starting pitcher Strider pitched 6 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 8 batters without allowing a run, securing his first win of the season.

With this loss, the Dodgers' season record stands at 24 wins and 15 losses. They remain in first place in the National League West, but are now trailing second-place San Diego Padres (23 wins, 16 losses) by just one game. Meanwhile, Atlanta snapped its losing streak at two games and improved to 27 wins and 13 losses. They hold first place in the National League East.

On another note, the Atlanta team approached the game with special determination. This was because news had spread of the passing of former manager Bobby Cox, who led the team through its golden era and achieved the great feat of 14 consecutive division titles. The Atlanta players dedicated a meaningful victory to the late manager's memory.

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*This content was translated by AI.