The Atlanta Braves had the unlikeliest of heroes of their win in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ha-Seong Kim’s ninth-inning single walked off the Dodgers to safe a sequence win. Braves supervisor Walt Weiss spoke about that after the sport.
“I’m so pleased for Kim,” stated Weiss on BravesVision’s postgame protection. “The circumstances have been actually tough for him. This was a man who was an elite participant on this league, and he’s been making an attempt to catch up all yr.”
The Braves re-signed Kim on a one-year deal as a stopgap at shortstop. That got here after a powerful cameo to shut out the 2025 season.
Nonetheless, he tore the tendon in his center finger slipping on ice in his residence nation, South Korea, within the offseason. He’s been making an attempt to play catch-up ever since.
The shortstop place has been a revolving door for the previous two seasons. The membership has performed Mauricio Dubon, Jim Jarvis, Jorge Mateo, and Kim there this season. Every participant has gotten at the very least 24 begins on the place.
Aside from Dubon, who sports activities a 96 wRC+ this season, the Braves haven’t gotten a lot offense at shortstop this season.
Braves Supervisor Walt Weiss on Ha-Seong Kim’s Stroll-off Hit vs. Dodgers
GettyHa-Seong Kim was the hero within the Braves’ 6-5 win over the Dodgers. (Picture by Todd Kirkland/Getty Photos)
In his absence, utility infielder Mauricio Dubon has gotten essentially the most at shortstop. Jorge Mateo, who’s now with the Tampa Bay Rays, additionally obtained the occasional begin there.
Additionally they tried out rookie Jim Jarvis, a slick defender, however his struggling bat obtained him demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett.
“It’s been robust to search out him reps right here since he got here again with Dubie enjoying like he was,” stated Weiss.
Ha-Seong Kim’s efficiency this season has been tough. He’s batting .066 (5-for-76) with a .230 OPS. However that didn’t cease Weiss from tabbing the veteran shortstop for the sport’s largest at-bat.
Pinch-hitting for Victor Mederos, the 30-year-old shortstop ripped a line drive single to left in opposition to Tanner Scott. Lane Thomas, who was operating from second on the pitch with a full rely and two outs, scored simply to cap off an “superb win.”
“I’m pleased for Kim. He by no means pouted; he’s been working his ass off. He will get a second like that. It’s simply poetic justice for that to occur.”
The win closes the hole for a Wild Card spherical bye. With back-to-back wins, the Braves are actually inside two video games of the Dodgers. They’ll have an opportunity to shut it to 1 sport if they’ll full the sequence sweep.
With 4 wins in opposition to Los Angeles, they maintain the head-to-head tiebreaker. That could possibly be essential on the finish of the season.
It additionally helps maintain some separation from the Philadelphia Phillies, who’re 4.5 video games again of Atlanta within the Nationwide League East.
When the Braves look again on the finish of the season, these moments add up large. Whereas Kim’s season gained’t go the best way they hoped, he gave them one jolt of vitality once they wanted him essentially the most.
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