Kim Ha-seong, back to the postseason for the first time in four years, struck out in consecutive at-bats and was replaced after just two trips to the plate: Humiliation → Team secures thrilling 8th-inning comeback victory

*This content was translated by AI.

'Awesome Kim' Kim Ha-seong (31, Atlanta Braves) was silent on the postseason stage he stepped onto for the first time in four years, but his team wrote a dramatic comeback story in the latter half of the game, marking their opening fall baseball match with a victory.

Kim Ha-seong started as the No. 9 hitter and shortstop in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series (NLWS, best-of-three) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on the 30th (Korean time). However, he went hitless in two at-bats with two strikeouts. It was his first postseason appearance since playing in a San Diego Padres uniform in 2022, but he failed to produce the expected hits at the plate.

Kim Ha-seong faced an opportunity from his very first at-bat on this day, though it did not bear fruit. In the bottom of the second inning, with the score tied 1-1 and runners on first and third bases with two outs in a scoring position situation, Kim Ha-seong calmly selected three pitches against left-handed starter Jesus Luzardo, taking an early lead with a 3-ball count. However, he lost his timing to Luzardo's powerful fastball barrage and swung at the sixth pitch of a full-count duel—a deep fastball on the body clocked at 98 mph (approximately 157.7 km/h)—resulting in a foul-tip strikeout that left him with regrets.

In the top of the third inning, he survived a heart-stopping moment. After one out, while covering second base to catch runner Trea Turner who had advanced from first during pitcher Chris Sale's pickoff attempt, Kim Ha-seong caught the throw from first baseman Matt Olson and tagged him out. During the play, he collided strongly with sliding Turner but got up without injury, relieving the home fans.

In his second at-bat as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the fifth inning, he struck out on a 85.8 mph (approximately 138.1 km/h) low-body sweeper from Luzardo's fifth pitch. Ultimately, Kim Ha-seong was replaced by pinch hitter Dominic Smith with one out and a runner on first base in the bottom of the seventh inning while his team trailed 2-3, ending his day.

Despite the disappointment at the plate and the bitterness of an early substitution, the team's dramatic victory lightened Kim Ha-seong's burden. With Atlanta trailing 2-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and runners on first and second bases, star hitter Austin Riley hit a go-ahead three-run home run that soared over the center field fence, instantly flipping the score to 5-3. Subsequently, closer Raisel Iglesias, who took the mound in the top of the ninth inning, shut down the Philadelphia lineup scoreless, successfully protecting the two-run lead.

Atlanta, which secured a 5-3 comeback victory in Game 1, claimed a valuable first win in the best-of-three series. If Atlanta adds just one more win in the remaining two games, they will secure their advancement to the National League Division Series (NLDS), where the Los Angeles Dodgers are already waiting.

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*This content was translated by AI.