*This content was translated by AI.
Although Kim Ha-seong (31, Atlanta Braves) still hit with sharpness, he shed tears over bad luck as his balls flew directly toward fielders. However, through continuously improved plate discipline and agile base running, he extended a streak of reaching base in three consecutive games while also contributing to his team's scoring.
On the 13th (Korean time), Kim Ha-seong started at shortstop and batted ninth in the regular-season home game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He went 0-for-3 with one walk and one run scored. His season statistics now stand at a batting average of 0.131 and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.358.
In fact, the most regrettable moment of the day came in the bottom of the fifth inning with runners in scoring position. With the team leading 8-1 and two outs with the bases loaded, Kim Ha-seong perfectly handled the second pitch sinker from reliever Orion Kerkering. The ball, struck squarely on the bat's sweet spot, flew at a blistering 91.8 mph (approximately 148 km/h) but was sucked directly toward left field. According to the Major League Baseball statistics analysis site "Baseball Savant," this was a high-quality hit with an expected batting average (xBA) of 0.440, indicating a very high probability of becoming a hit, yet it ended as a disappointing line drive and closed out the inning.
Although bad luck prevented him from adding another hit, Kim Ha-seong's instinct for reaching base and his proven ability to "score when he gets on base" shone clearly. After being called out looking by opposing starter Tim Mayza in his first at-bat of the third inning, Kim showed his true worth in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and runners on first and third while his team led 4-1. He calmly selected a pitch against reliever Grant Holman to draw a walk, extending the bases-loaded opportunity.
When the opposing pitcher committed a wild pitch, Kim Ha-seong immediately sprinted to second base. As Drake Baldwin's double landed, he crossed home plate. This moment completed his streak of reaching base in three consecutive games, following two hits against the Tampa Bay Rays on the 11th and one hit against Philadelphia on the 12th.
Kim Ha-seong ended his at-bat for the day by attempting to attack the first pitch from pitcher Garrett Stubbs, who came onto the mound in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and a runner on second base while the team led 9-1, but he was retired on a fly ball to left field.
Meanwhile, Atlanta demonstrated intense focus by scoring eight runs in just the fourth inning, crushing Philadelphia 12-2. Star player Ronald Acuña Jr. led the lineup with four hits in four at-bats, including one walk and two RBIs and two runs scored, along with his 17th home run of the season. Starting pitcher Tyler Mahle delivered a brilliant outing over seven innings allowing only one earned run, securing his sixth win (with ten losses) of the season. Philadelphia had taken an early lead in the first inning on Bryce Harper's solo home run (his 28th of the season), but their pitching staff collapsed rapidly, resulting in a decisive defeat.
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*This content was translated by AI.
