Kim Ha-seong hits walk-off for Braves

South Korean infielder Kim Ha-seong delivered a walk-off hit for the Atlanta Braves in a 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 27, 2026. The 30-year-old former Gold Glove winner, batting just .078 for the season, ended the game with a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Kim came to the plate as a pinch-hitter for Victor Mederos with runners on first and second. Facing left-hander Brock Stewart, Kim worked a full count after taking three balls and a strike, then fouling off three consecutive fastballs. On the eighth pitch of the at-bat, he lined another fastball into left field, allowing Lane Thomas to score easily from second base.

Teammates mobbed Kim between first and second base in a wild celebration. The hit was his first since June 3, 2026, breaking a prolonged drought. Before this game, Kim had managed only five hits in 76 at-bats all season.

A Season of Struggle

Kim's 2026 campaign has been marred by injury and poor form. He suffered a right middle finger injury in January after falling on ice while in South Korea, delaying his season debut until May 12. He never found rhythm, going 1-for-28 in June, and then missed a month from early July to early August with inflammation in the surgically repaired finger. His recent struggles had seen him relegated to a backup role, making his late-game heroics a surprise. For a player of his caliber, checking the team's detailed stats page reveals how far his numbers have fallen this year.

Post-Game Reaction

"I am so happy to have helped the team win," Kim said after the game. "As I ran toward first base, I was hoping the ball would drop for a hit." The hit provided a rare positive moment in what he described as his least productive season in the majors. Despite the dramatic win, the Braves' overall standings position remains a focus for the team.

Recent History with Atlanta

Kim joined the Braves during the second half of the 2025 season. He then signed a one-year free agent deal with the club in December. The walk-off single against the Dodgers, however, remains his only notable contribution of 2026, and he is still searching for his first extra-base hit of the year. His ongoing battle with injury is a situation fans can monitor on the club's injuries report. The victory was sealed when Teoscar Hernandez's throw from left field was not in time to catch the winning run.