"Kim Ha-seong Took Down Yamamoto's Splitter" Ha-seong Kim Returns to the Starting Lineup After 20 Days, Delivers Hit and Stolen Base to Make His Point

[Financial News] Ha-seong Kim (30, Atlanta Braves), who had made a strong statement with a thrilling walk-off hit the previous day, returned to the starting lineup after 20 days and responded to his manager's trust with a hit and a stolen base. Backed by Christopher Allen Sale's complete-game shutout, Atlanta defeated the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers and completed a three-game sweep.
Kim started at shortstop and batted ninth in a home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on the 28th (Korean time). He went 1-for-3 with one stolen base.
It was Kim's first appearance in the starting lineup in 20 days, since the game against the New York Yankees on the 8th. His standout performance the previous day, when he came off the bench and delivered the game-ending hit, led to his return to the starting lineup.
He got off to a strong start. In the bottom of the third inning, with one out and no runners on base and the score tied 1-1, Kim stepped in for his first at-bat against Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He sharply pulled Yamamoto's signature split-finger fastball, or splitter, for a single to left field and reached first base.
After reaching base, Kim immediately showed his trademark baseball instincts by stealing second, recording his second stolen base of the season. However, Atlanta's bats went quiet with a runner in scoring position, and he was unable to advance further or score.
He was unable to add to his success in his later plate appearances. He struck out in both the sixth and eighth innings, falling short of a multi-hit game. With one more hit on the day, Kim's batting average for the season rose to 0.088.


Meanwhile, the real star of the game was Atlanta starter Christopher Allen Sale. Against the Dodgers' powerful lineup, he struck out 11 over nine innings and delivered a brilliant five-hit shutout to earn his 13th win of the season. In particular, he completely neutralized superstar Shohei Ohtani, holding him to 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, and emerged as the key figure in Atlanta's victory.
Atlanta's offense struck first on a leadoff first-pitch home run by Drake Baldwin in the bottom of the first inning, and Sale protected that one-run lead all the way to the end as the Braves pulled out an exciting 1-0 win. Atlanta finished the three-game home series against the Dodgers with one-run victories in all three games, completing a satisfying sweep.


[email protected] Reporter Jeon Sang-il Reporter