On a crisp evening in St. Louis, the LA Dodgers finally shook off their four-game losing streak, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 at Busch Stadium. The spark behind the Dodgers’ turnaround? None other than shortstop Kim Hye-sung, who delivered a flawless performance at the plate and flashed the leather in the field—reminding everyone just how valuable a well-rounded player can be in high-pressure moments.
Kim Hye-sung, penciled in as the eighth batter and starting shortstop, wasted no time making his presence felt. After a quiet outing the previous day, he stepped up in a big way, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. That effort nudged his season batting average up to a robust .317, with 19 hits in 60 at-bats—marking his sixth multi-hit game of the year. For a player in the lower half of the lineup, that’s a game-changer for any manager.
The action heated up in the top of the second inning. With the Dodgers holding a slim 1-0 lead and runners on second and third, Kim faced former Dodger and Cardinals starter Dustin May. May tried to sneak a 138.5 km/h (about 86 mph) inside sweeper past him, but Kim coolly drove the ball to right field for a single, bringing in a run and extending the Dodgers’ lead. It was the kind of clutch, opposite-field hitting that coaches rave about—and it gave the Dodgers the momentum they’d been missing during their recent skid.
Kim’s next at-bat in the fifth inning was just as impressive. Leading off, he worked the count full against May, then jumped on a 97.7 mph (157 km/h) fastball. The ball ricocheted off third baseman Ramon Urias’ glove and trickled into the infield, allowing Kim to reach safely for his second hit of the night. His speed and hustle kept the pressure on the Cardinals’ defense. After advancing to second on Shohei Ohtani’s groundout, Kim came around to score on Freddie Freeman’s single up the middle, pushing the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0.
But Kim’s impact wasn’t limited to the batter’s box. In the bottom of the fifth, he made a highlight-worthy defensive play, ranging deep into the hole at shortstop to snare a hard-hit grounder and fire to first for the out. That kind of glove work can be a rally killer—and it certainly helped pitcher Justin Robleski breathe a little easier on the mound.
Robleski, for his part, delivered a strong performance when the Dodgers needed it most. The left-hander tossed six scoreless innings, scattering six hits and a walk, earning his fifth win of the season. He didn’t record a strikeout, but his ability to induce weak contact kept the Cardinals off balance. “He was really sharp, mixing his pitches well and letting the defense do the work,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after the game. “That’s exactly what we needed to stop the bleeding.”
As the game moved into the late innings, Roberts stuck to his platoon strategy. When the Cardinals brought in lefty Justin Brul to pitch the seventh, Kim was replaced by right-handed hitter Miguel Rojas. The move wasn’t a reflection of Kim’s performance—far from it—but rather a nod to the Dodgers’ data-driven approach. Rojas managed a walk in his lone plate appearance, though it didn’t result in any additional runs that frame.
In the eighth, the Cardinals finally broke through, plating a run off reliever Will Klein. But the Dodgers’ bullpen, with Blake Treinen and closer Tanner Scott, held firm. Scott came on in the ninth and struck out two to seal the deal—his save capping a much-needed team win. The Dodgers added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, courtesy of Alex Cole’s RBI single, making it 4-1 and putting the game out of reach for St. Louis.
While Kim was the clear offensive hero, the Dodgers’ lineup featured plenty of star power. Shohei Ohtani, slotted in as designated hitter, continued to struggle at the plate, going 0-for-3 and extending his hitless streak to 19 at-bats. “He’s been chasing a bit, but we know he’ll turn it around,” Roberts commented, offering support for his superstar. Freddie Freeman, meanwhile, chipped in with a crucial RBI single and solid defense at first base.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, started Dustin May, who pitched five innings and allowed three runs. Their lone run came too late to spark a comeback, and the loss dropped them further behind in the standings. Notably, their lineup included JJ Wetherholt, whose Korean heritage has drawn attention from fans on both sides of the Pacific.
Elsewhere in the majors, Korean outfielder Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants endured a tough day at the plate. Playing at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays, Lee went 0-for-3 with a walk, lowering his batting average to .281. The Giants fell 2-1 in extra innings, their sixth straight loss—a stark contrast to the Dodgers’ celebration in St. Louis.
For Kim Hye-sung, the night was a personal triumph and a crucial boost for his team. His ability to deliver in key moments, both offensively and defensively, reinforced his value to the Dodgers’ roster. “Kim’s approach at the plate and his instincts in the field have been a difference-maker for us,” Roberts said. “He’s a big reason why we’re back in the win column.”
With the win, the Dodgers wrapped up their road series in St. Louis with a 1-2 record and now head to Houston, looking to build on their renewed momentum. The big question: Can Kim Hye-sung continue to spark the offense and help the Dodgers climb the standings? One thing’s for sure—if he keeps swinging the bat like this, LA fans have plenty to look forward to.
As the Dodgers pack their bags for Houston, the mood in the clubhouse is noticeably lighter. After a tough stretch, they’ve found a formula that works: timely hitting, solid pitching, and a little bit of magic from their rising star at shortstop. The journey through the long MLB season continues, but for now, the Dodgers—and Kim Hye-sung—can savor a well-earned victory.