Kim Ha-seong (31, Atlanta Braves) broke out of his severe batting slump with a three-hit performance, boosting his season batting average into the .100s.
On Wednesday, Kim started as the ninth batter and shortstop in an away game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. He went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.
This marked Kim’s first multi-hit game of the season and his first three-hit performance since September 15 last year against the Houston Astros.
Kim’s season batting average jumped from .081 to .112 with this stellar outing.
Kim displayed peak form at the plate. In the top of the third inning, with the Braves trailing 1-4, he ripped a single up the middle off Washington’s starter Jake Irvin with a runner on first and no outs.
Atlanta capitalized on Kim’s hit when Drake Baldwin followed with an run batted in (RBI) single, cutting the deficit to 2-4.
Despite advancing to third on Baldwin’s hit, Kim was stranded there as the following batters failed to bring him home.
Kim struck again in the fifth, lacing a single to left field off Irvin with a runner on first and no outs, chasing the Nationals’ starter from the game.
However, Baldwin then grounded into a double play, with Kim being forced out at second.
Kim completed his three-hit day by leading off the eighth with a single to left field against reliever Clayton Beeter.
He also flashed the leather, making a spectacular play in the bottom of the second. Kim ranged to his right to snag a sharp grounder by Abimelec Otis, then threw from a seated position to nab the runner at first.
Despite Kim’s standout performance, the NL East-leading Braves’ pitching faltered, resulting in a 9-5 loss to Washington. The defeat dropped Atlanta to 82-57 on the season.