'Big Break' Kim Ha-seong Turns Public Opinion Around! From a Miracle Tie in the 2nd-Down Crisis to a Game-Winning Run with a Storm Sprint... 'The Awesome Kim We Knew Has Returned'

*This content was translated by AI.

With the team trailing by one run in the bottom of the 11th inning of extra innings, two batters were retired in vain. Only one out remained before defeat. And the hero stepping into the batter's box was none other than Atlanta Braves infielder 'Awesome Kim' Kim Ha-seong (31).

At that moment, Kim Ha-seong's bat swung perfectly. A miraculous tie-breaking RBI hit exploded. But this was not the end. When a following batter hit a fly ball splitting center and left field, Kim Ha-seong launched into a storm sprint. He touched second base, circled third, and dove for home plate. A dramatic walk-off victory. Kim Ha-seong, substituted in as a pinch runner, truly came alive.

On the 12th (Korean time), Kim Ha-seong appeared in relief in the bottom of the 9th inning at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, for the regular-season home game against the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He went 1-for-1 with one RBI and one run scored, leading his team to victory.

With this performance, Kim Ha-seong proved his worth by recording a hit in two consecutive games, following his two-hit, two-RBI effort the previous day (the 11th) against the Tampa Bay Rays.

After this game, Kim Ha-seong's season statistics stand at: 42 games played, .135 batting average (104 at-bats, 14 hits), one double, nine RBIs, seven runs scored, ten walks, 30 strikeouts, two stolen bases (zero failed attempts), .217 on-base percentage, .144 slugging percentage, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.361.

Philadelphia's starting lineup consisted of Kyle Schwarber (designated hitter), Turner (shortstop), Bryce Harper (right fielder), Luis Arraez (second baseman), Alec Bohm (first baseman), Edmundo Sosa (third baseman), Bryan De La Cruz (left fielder), J.T. Realmuto (catcher), and Derek Hill (center fielder). The starting pitcher was Aaron Nola.

In response, Atlanta set its starting lineup as follows: Drake Baldwin (designated hitter), Ronald Acuña Jr. (right fielder), Matt Olson (first baseman), Michael Harris II (center fielder), Duvon Mauricio (shortstop), Aj Albies (second baseman), Austin Riley (third baseman), Mike Yastrzemski (left fielder), and Sean Murphy (catcher). The starting pitcher was Chris Sale. Kim Ha-seong began the game on the bench.

Kim Ha-seong then stepped onto the field for the first time in the crucial bottom of the 9th inning. Atlanta trailed 2-3 with one out in the bottom of the 9th. After Yastrzemski reached base with a single to center, Murphy followed with a hit to left-center. A fielding error by the opposing center fielder compounded the situation, allowing the lead runner, Cousin Junior on first base, to score the tying run as a pinch runner.

Murphy was replaced at second base by Kim Ha-seong as a pinch runner. Following that, Baldwin reached base on a hit-by-pitch, but Acuña Jr. flew out to center field and Olson grounded out to shortstop, sending the game into extra innings.

In the top of the 10th and bottom of the 10th, both teams scored one run each, tying the score at 4-4. Then, in the top of the 11th, Philadelphia seized a 5-4 lead with Arraez's RBI single to left field with one out and runners on first and third.

In the bottom of the 11th, Atlanta's final offensive inning. After Riley grounded out to shortstop as the leadoff batter, Smith was thrown out on a fly ball to third base. Two outs. With defeat looming, Kim Ha-seong stepped into the batter's box. The pitcher was Brooks Raley, known as the 'Left-handed Lion,' who previously played for the Lotte Giants in Korea.

The first pitch was a sweeper right down the middle. Kim Ha-seong took it. The second ball was a ball. Then came the third pitch: a changeup that dropped slightly low from the center. Kim Ha-seong connected perfectly. The well-hit ball sliced straight between second and third base, speeding toward left field. Truist Park erupted into a cauldron of excitement. This precious RBI hit by Kim Ha-seong saved his team from the brink of defeat. After reaching first base, he performed a celebration toward his teammates in the dugout, savoring the joy.

But this was not the end. The next batter to step up was Baldwin. With a 2-2 count, he hit the ball straight toward center-left field. Kim Ha-seong had already started running toward second base. Before reaching third, he launched into a storm sprint; his helmet had already been knocked off his head. Acuña Jr., waiting at home plate, urged him to slide. Kim Ha-seong slid as instructed, and the game ended. Ironically, Acuña Jr. immediately turned away from Kim Ha-seong and ran toward Baldwin, who had just hit the walk-off RBI single.

After catching his breath briefly, Kim Ha-seong quickly joined the celebration line. Atlanta teammates first enthusiastically congratulated Baldwin, then approached Kim Ha-seong to offer warm congratulations as well. This scene once again confirmed how well Kim Ha-seong has integrated into the team. On local U.S. social networking services (SNS) after the game, posts appeared such as 'We apologize for what we said about Kim Ha-seong until now' and 'He is showing truly amazing performance since his return.' These messages confirmed that public opinion had been completely turned around in his favor.

With this 6-5 comeback victory after an 11-inning battle, Atlanta secured its second consecutive win. With a season record of 87 wins and 61 losses, Atlanta surged to the top of the National League East Division. They held a four-game lead over Philadelphia (82 wins, 66 losses), the second-place team in the same division, securing a favorable position for the division title.

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*This content was translated by AI.