Braves' Walt Weiss loves what we saw from Ha-Seong Kim in win

Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Braves' Walt Weiss loves what we saw from Ha-Seong Kim in win over Phillies

By Josh Davis Jr. | Last updated Sep 12, 2026 12:52 AM ET

Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim delivered another defining late-season hit Friday night, helping his team secure a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in 11 innings at Truist Park.

The Phillies moved ahead 5-4 in the top of the 11th when Luis Arraez drove home the automatic runner with a single. With two outs in the bottom half, Kim lined a game-tying single to left field off Brooks Raley that scored Ozzie Albies.

Drake Baldwin followed with a walk-off double to center field, allowing Kim to score from first and extending Atlanta’s National League East lead to five games.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer Gabe Burns took to X, formerly Twitter, and shared manager Walt Weiss’ message about Kim following the victory.

“All the stuff he’s been through, then you fast-forward into later in the season, and he has two of the biggest hits of our season. You love when guys persevere, and the game rewards them for it.,” Weiss said.

Walt Weiss on Ha-Seong Kim: “All the stuff he’s been through, then you fast forward into later in the season and he has two of the biggest hits of our season. You love when guys persevere and the game rewards them for it.”
— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) September 12, 2026

Ha-Seong Kim rewards Braves’ patience during NL East push

Kim’s tying single continued an encouraging turnaround after injuries and extended offensive struggles defined most of his season. He underwent surgery in January to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger after slipping on ice in South Korea.

The injury delayed his season debut and prevented him from receiving a normal spring training buildup. Kim continued struggling after returning, batting below .100 for extended stretches while losing regular playing time at shortstop.

Weiss continued finding opportunities for the veteran infielder instead of removing him from the Braves’ plans. That patience first paid off on August 26, when Kim delivered a two-out, pinch-hit walk-off single against Los Angeles Dodgers closer Tanner Scott.

The hit secured the Braves' season series against Los Angeles, giving the Braves a potentially important postseason tiebreaker. Kim delivered again on Thursday with a two-run single in the eighth inning of a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

His latest contribution carried even greater importance because it came against Atlanta’s closest divisional challenger. The Braves tied Friday’s game in the ninth, 10th and 11th innings before Baldwin finally ended it.

Kim’s overall numbers remain well below his established standard, but his recent production has changed how the Braves can use him. The former Gold Glove winner now offers experienced infield defense, baserunning and a bat showing signs of life.

Two clutch swings cannot erase months of struggles. However, they have helped Atlanta strengthen its postseason position while validating Weiss’ decision to keep believing in Kim.

Josh Davis Jr.

Josh Davis is a sports journalist and editor covering MLB, NFL, NBA, college football, and college basketball. He is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia’s Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Davis currently serves as an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and is the founder of OutOfSightSports.

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