Chipper Jones was very impressed by A.J. Minter’s surprise Game 5 start
By John Buhler
Chipper Jones knows what he saw out of A.J. Minter, and he liked it a lot.
No Atlanta Braves legend has been more impressed by A.J. Minter than Chipper Jones.
Minter was asked to make a once-in-a-lifetime start in Game 5 of the 2020 NLCS. The left-handed reliever had not made a start or opened since his days playing college ball for the Texas A&M Aggies. Well, Minter cruised through two innings before Jones tweeted this out, saying he needs to see Minter get into the third inning. Well, Jones got his wish, as Minter went three.
I need Minter in the 3rd!!!!!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) October 17, 2020
This is an Atlanta Braves team that wants to win the NL pennant tonight
Minter’s improbable Game 5 start comes on the heels of Bryse Wilson‘s unbelievable six-inning gem in Game 4. Atlanta didn’t get one inning of work out of Game 3’s starter, Kyle Wright. Knowing Max Fried won’t be ready until Game 6 and Ian Anderson until Game 7, players like Minter had no choice but to answer the call of duty. Boy, did he ever Friday night in three innings.
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Minter went the full three innings. He allowed one base runner, a two-double in the top of the first to Justin Turner. Minter struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced in Game 5. Big moments call for big-time performances, and this was Minter’s finest moment of his baseball career. Braves Country could not have asked for a better open out of their left-handed relief pitcher. Well done!
This could be the night the Braves get to the World Series for the first time since 1999.