Chipper ‘not happy’ over Moyer’s sign-stealing charge

DENVER — Chipper Jones was still fuming Sunday over claims by Colorado Rockies pitcher Jamie Moyer that the Atlanta star had been stealing signs and relaying them to Braves hitters.

“I’m not happy, to say the least,” Jones said after the Braves completed a three-game sweep of the Rockies with a 7-2 victory on Sunday.

“Any time a grown man gets his integrity questioned, they’re going to take it seriously and I’m no different. If he wants to discuss it, we’ll discuss it, but he’s wrong, plain and simple,” Jones said.

Asked by reporters earlier in the day for his side, Moyer declined to comment.

Jones was given the day off Sunday. On Saturday, he was on second base after doubling off Moyer in the fifth inning of Atlanta’s 13-9 victory.

As he was engaged in some casual banter with Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Jones said Moyer approached and said, “I see you (stealing signs).”

“It caught me by surprise,” Jones said. “I was in shock. I didn’t realize he was talking to me, and then I realized that he was, and I started screaming back at him. He never did turn back around.”

Jones said he would be willing to discuss the matter if he gets a call from Moyer. But Jones emphasized that Moyer’s allegations are meritless.

“Never have I wanted a sign when I was hitting, and I have never relayed a sign to a hitter from second base, ever,” Jones said.

There was no previous bad blood between the two veterans. In fact, Jones praised Moyer earlier this season when Moyer became the oldest pitcher to win a big-league game.

“I don’t know what the problem was,” Jones told MLB.com. “I was literally having a conversation with the shortstop when he stepped off and said that. I don’tknow why he’s so paranoid. But to be honest with you, every pitch he throws is 78 (mph). So it’s not like we really have to relay signs.”

Fueled by Moyer’s accusation, Jones got key hits in his next two at-bats and matched his career high with five RBIs in the Braves’ victory.

Read more: Chipper Jones goes after Rockies’ Jamie Moyer with sign-stealing at issue - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_20561666#ixzz1uE0jDfe5

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