'As expected' Kim Ha-seong's legendary defense, a single glance right after being hit by the Japanese ace's pitch... Securing his starting spot again! 'ATL's unstoppable 5-game winning streak'

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Ha-seong (31, Atlanta Braves) started in two consecutive games and unfortunately failed to record a hit, but he did reach base once via a hit-by-pitch. Most importantly, he demonstrated stable defensive play, proving his presence on the field.

On the 29th (Korea time), at 8:15 a.m., Kim Ha-seong started as the leadoff hitter and shortstop in the home game against the Colorado Rockies at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, during the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season. He went 0-for-3 with one hit-by-pitch.

After today's game, Kim Ha-seong's season statistics stand at 48 games played, a batting average of .085 (7 hits in 82 at-bats), 5 RBIs, 5 runs scored, 9 walks, 25 strikeouts, 2 stolen bases (0 caught stealing), an on-base percentage of .185, a slugging percentage of .085, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .270.

Kim Ha-seong had been riding a hot streak recently. Most notably, he hit a walk-off hit in the game against the Dodgers on the 27th. At that time, with the score tied 5-5 in the bottom of the 9th inning and two outs with runners on first and second, Kim Ha-seong stepped up to the plate. He attacked Tanner Scott's 97.2 mph (approximately 156.4 km) four-seam fastball, launching a walk-off hit to left field. The exit velocity of the batted ball was 103 mph (approximately 165.8 km). It was a refreshing hit that broke his 27 consecutive hitless at-bats.

Riding this momentum, Kim Ha-seong started in yesterday's game on the 28th. This marked his first start since the the 8th game against the New York Yankees, ending a 20-day absence from the starting lineup. He contributed to the team's 1-0 victory with three at-bats, one hit, two strikeouts, and one stolen base. In particular, with the team leading 1-0 in the bottom of the 3rd inning, two outs, and no runners on base, he targeted Yamamoto Yoshinobu's low 92.4 mph (approximately 148.7 km) splitter, connecting for a hit to left field. He then stole second base, recording his second stolen base of the season.

And today, Kim Ha-seong started in two consecutive games as the leadoff hitter and shortstop.

Atlanta constructed its starting lineup with Drake Baldwin (designated hitter), A.J. Albies (second baseman), Matt Olson (first baseman), Ronald Acuña Jr. (right fielder), Michael Harris II (center fielder), Dansby Swanson (third baseman), Mike Yastrzemski (left fielder), Sean Murphy (catcher), and Kim Ha-seong (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Grant Holmes. Holmes had recorded 8 wins and 5 losses with a 3.64 ERA in the season prior to this game.

In response, Colorado set its starting lineup with Jake McCarthy (left fielder), Colton Cowser (center fielder), Hunter Goodman (catcher), T.J. Rumfield (first baseman), Will Castro (third baseman), Mickey Moniak (designated hitter), Connor Norby (second baseman), Jack Weiss (right fielder), and Ezekiel Tovar (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Japanese right-handed ace Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano had recorded 12 wins and 7 losses with a 4.96 ERA in the season up to this point.

With Atlanta leading 2-0, Kim Ha-seong stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat with two outs and a runner on second base. However, the opposing starter Sugano's cutter struck him hard on the left elbow. Immediately after being hit by the pitch, Kim Ha-seong glanced briefly at Sugano before walking toward first base. Following this, Sugano continued to lose composure. He gave up a two-run single to Baldwin, making the score 0-3. However, Albies was out on a fly ball to center field, so Kim Ha-seong did not score either.

Kim Ha-seong came to bat as the leadoff hitter in the 4th inning for his second at-bat of the game. He hit a sinker that entered the zone on the fourth pitch with a favorable 2-1 count, but it was caught by the center fielder on a line drive. In the 5th inning, he stepped up to the plate for his third at-bat with two outs and a runner on first base. With an unfavorable 0-2 count, he hit a high four-seam fastball at 96 mph (154.5 km) that was located in the upper zone on the fourth pitch, but he was out on a fly ball to the shortstop.

Kim Ha-seong faced his fourth at-bat of the game with two outs and a runner on first base in the 7th inning. With an unfavorable 0-2 count, he took a swing at the third pitch, a 97.7 mph (157.2 km) fastball located outside the zone, and was called out looking for a strikeout. At this moment, Kim Ha-seong requested a challenge, which confirmed the ball had slightly missed the zone, resulting in a walk. Returning to the plate, Kim Ha-seong fouled off the fourth pitch but then hit a sweeper that escaped low and outside on the fifth pitch, grounding out to third base for an unfortunate end.

Most importantly, Kim Ha-seong showcased his defensive skills, proving he can reclaim his starting position. In the top of the 2nd inning, he cleanly fielded Norby's ground ball and made a nimble throw toward second base, completing a double play. Later in the top of the 4th inning, he displayed excellent chemistry with teammate second baseman Albies. When Castro hit a ground ball to second base, Albies dove for it. In that moment, while Albies was on the ground, Kim Ha-seong stretched out his arm to catch the tossed ball and recorded an out. Additionally, in the 9th inning with no outs and a runner on first, he received a throw from the first baseman after J. Rumfield hit a ground ball to first base, then threw strongly to first to cleanly complete another double play. Today's game was a clear demonstration of his legendary defensive abilities.

Meanwhile, Atlanta secured a 6-4 victory, reaching 80 wins (55 losses) for the season. With their recent five-game winning streak, Atlanta is leading the National League East division. In contrast, Colorado fell to two consecutive losses with a record of 52 wins and 83 losses, failing to escape last place in the National League West division.

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*This content was translated by AI.