Pinch-hitter Ha-Seong Kim singled home Lane Thomas with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.
The Atlanta Braves edged the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 on Wednesday night at Truist Park, as pinch-hitter Ha-Seong Kim delivered a walk-off single with two outs in the ninth inning to score Lane Thomas. The win gave the Braves a 1-0 lead in the three-game series and extended their home winning streak, while the Dodgers saw their momentum halted after snapping a six-game skid the night before.
Braves’ Clutch Hitting Prevails
Atlanta (78-55) showcased their resilience in tight contests, manufacturing the winning rally against a Dodgers bullpen that had been stout all night. With two outs and a runner on base, Kim, who entered as a pinch-hitter, laced a single to right field that allowed Thomas to race home from second, capping a dramatic comeback. The Braves had earlier taken the lead in the eighth inning when Ozzie Albies singled in the go-ahead run, but the Dodgers answered in the top of the ninth to tie the game, setting the stage for Kim’s heroics.
Kim’s hit was the latest example of Atlanta’s ability to win close games, improving their record in one-run contests this season. The Braves’ offense, though not overpowering, executed when it mattered most, stringing together hits and capitalizing on scoring opportunities against a Dodgers pitching staff that had been effective for much of the night.
Dodgers’ Rally Falls Short
Los Angeles (80-53) entered the game with the best record in the National League and looked poised to steal a win after erasing a one-run deficit in the top of the ninth. However, their bullpen, which had been reliable, could not lock down the save in the bottom half. The Dodgers’ offense showed fight, battling back from an early deficit and tying the game twice, but ultimately could not overcome the Braves’ late surge.
Despite the loss, the Dodgers remain in first place in the NL West, holding a comfortable lead. Their offense, led by stars like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, continues to produce, but the team’s pitching depth is being tested with multiple key arms on the injured list, including Roki Sasaki, who exited Wednesday’s start with a blister and will be placed on the IL.
Turning Point: Kim’s Walk-Off
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the ninth with the score tied at 5-5. Lane Thomas, who had reached base earlier, stood on second with two outs. Kim, batting for the pitcher’s spot, worked the count and then drove a single into the outfield, scoring Thomas easily and setting off a celebration at Truist Park. The hit was Kim’s first walk-off of the season and underscored the Braves’ knack for delivering in pressure situations.
Before that, the game had been a back-and-forth affair. The Dodgers struck first, but the Braves responded with a pair of runs. Los Angeles tied it again in the fifth, only for Atlanta to regain the lead in the eighth on Albies’ single. The Dodgers’ ninth-inning rally forced extras, but the Braves’ bullpen, despite its own injury issues, held firm to set up Kim’s heroics.
What It Means for Both Teams
For the Braves, the win solidifies their position atop the NL East and extends their home dominance, as they have now won consecutive one-run games against the Dodgers. Atlanta’s pitching staff, though depleted with Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez, and Joe Jimenez on the IL, continues to find ways to keep games close, and the offense has shown the ability to win slugfests and nail-biters alike.
For the Dodgers, the loss snaps a six-game winning streak and serves as a reminder that even the league’s best teams can stumble against quality opponents. Los Angeles will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Thursday night, with Tarik Skubal slated to start Friday in Detroit and Shohei Ohtani potentially returning to the rotation as soon as Sunday. The Dodgers’ pitching depth remains a concern, but their offense is more than capable of carrying them.
- Ha-Seong Kim’s walk-off single in the ninth was the difference.
- Ozzie Albies drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning for Atlanta.
- Roki Sasaki exited Wednesday’s start with a blister and is headed to the IL.
- The Braves have now won two straight one-run games against the Dodgers.
- Game 2 is Thursday at 7:15 PM ET, with the Braves seeking a sweep.
Both teams remain atop their respective divisions, and this series is shaping up to be a potential playoff preview. The Braves will aim for a sweep tonight, while the Dodgers will be desperate to avoid a three-game skid. With the trade deadline behind them and the postseason approaching, every game carries weight, and Wednesday’s thriller was a testament to the intensity of this matchup.
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