Jeff PassanESPN
ARLINGTON, Texas – Atlanta Braves left-handed AJ Minter made history with his first career start on Friday. Then he did it again with his performance.
After Minter became the first major league baseball player to make his starting debut in a postseason game, he beat seven Los Angeles Dodgers over three innings, most in a playoff game with three innings or fewer, starters or relievers.
Minter, who wasn’t announced as the Braves’ starter for Game 5 of the National League Championship Series until Friday morning, was a lockdown reliever for the Braves that season but hadn’t survived more than 1⅔ innings or 36 pitches in an outing. He left Game 5 after allowing a hit, no walks, and no runs over 42 pitches.
The Braves can win their first trip to the World Series since 1999 with a win in Game 5.
Manager Brian Snitker had chosen Minter as his opener – a highly effective pitcher of relief that usually throws the first inning to be at the top of the list. Minter made it all the way back to Mookie Betts, whom he hit to seal an inning in which he stretched the page – everyone looking – and a five-stroke stretch in which he knocked out Cody Bellinger. AJ Pollock, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor and Betts.
Minter, 27, last started at Texas A&M in 2015, where he attended college. On his last start for the Aggies, he injured his elbow and had to be operated on by Tommy John.
In the regular season, Minter hit 24 in 21⅔ innings.
His three-pitch mix – a 95 to 97 mph fastball, a hard slider, and a switch – angered the Dodgers. Their starter, Dustin May, who is actually a starter, was knocked out 2-0 after two innings against Los Angeles.
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