It appeared theAtlanta Braves were getting readyto drop their third game in the last four with the Philadephia Phillies finding a way to get two outs in the 11th. This was accomplished without moving the extra-innings runner from second setting the stage for another loss due to poor situational hitting. In stepped Ha-Seong Kim with only two strikes left and every reason to believe the game was coming to a frustrating end, Kim instead drove the ball between third and short sending Ozzie Albies home and keeping the game alive for Drake Baldwin.
Baldwin would drive the ball into the gap and walk-off a stunned Phillies team that two different times felt they had Atlanta on the ropes. The biggest story is obviously going to be the impact in the National League East standings and the control the Braves now have as the runway for the Phillies to catch Atlanta is quickly falling out of reach.
For the Braves, another piece of this story is the breakout performance of Kim. The shortstop now has delivered two clutch hits in as many days and days ago walked off the Los Angeles Dodgers in spectacular fashion. No question, Kim is emerging as a clutch performer and it is a shocking story for a veteran who couldn't hit .100 for much of the 2026 season.
Braves Continue to Appreciate Surprise Heroics of Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim
Seeing the excitement and pure joy not only from Kim but each of his teammates after each of these clutch hits tells you exactly what the clubhouse culture is and how the infielder is viewed. No question, there is a lot of respect for Kim and Atlanta's front office showed this by choosing to keep the infielder roster when there were more accomplished options remaining that could've taken this roster spot.
For Kim, it isn't a huge change in approach but simply a level of needed confidence after delivering against the Dodgers in walk-off fashion. The tone in his at-bats and confidence have been clear over the last two weeks and it has given the Braves needed bench flexibility.
It has become a defining story for the Braves over the final month of the season beating their two biggest concerns in the National League in the Phillies and Dodgers. While it is simply one game there is no way around just how impressive Kim has been and the continued hope that these contributions continue and give the Braves surprise flexibility.
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