Brewers 10, Braves 3: Jesus Aguilar continues a torrid season with two homers and four RBI

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Fans will have the final say as to whether Jesus Aguilar makes the National League all-star team but Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell raised the stakes Sunday.

"Look, he’s having an MVP season," Counsell said. "He really is. He’s having an incredible season."

It was difficult to argue with that assessment after yet another huge day for Aguilar, who belted two more homers and drove in four runs to lead the surging Brewers to a 10-3 victory over Atlanta at Miller Park.

By taking three of four from the Braves, who hit town in first place in the NL East, the Brewers capped a 6-1 home stand that boosted their record to 54-36 with a week to go before the all-star break.

BOX SCORE: Brewers 10, Braves 3

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"We played very well on this home stand," Counsell said. "It’s a 6-1 home stand in the middle of this stretch with no days off and a bunch of games. To do that, it’s about contributions from a lot of guys."

And none more so than Aguilar, who has been one of the most productive hitters in the league with a .306 batting average, 22 home runs and 63 runs batted in. Not bad for a player who began the season as the Brewers' backup first baseman.

It was revealed later that Aguilar was among five players in the "Final Vote" competition in the NL, with fans voting to put one on the all-star team. The others are Los Angeles' Max Muncy, St. Louis' Matt Carpenter, San Francisco's Brandon Belt and Washington's Trea Turner.

Asked if he should win the fan vote, the modest Aguilar said, "That's something I don't control. I've just got to keep going."

Aguilar certainly has support in his own clubhouse, where teammates and staff have been wearing "We Believe in Jesus" T-shirts for several days.

"He's awesome," said Christian Yelich. "He has an unbelievable story and he's taken advantage of his opportunities. It's great to see and it's easy to root for guys like that. I think every guy in that clubhouse is really happy for him and what he's doing for us because he's a big reason we're at where we're at.

"He's been winning ball games by himself, pretty much."

There were other contributors in this one, including starter Junior Guerra, who went six innings and allowed only one run, boosting his record to 6-5 with a sparkling 2.79 ERA. Guerra allowed seven hits and three walks and had to pitch out of several jams, benefiting from double plays that killed rallies.

"I credit them for making him work a little bit," Counsell said. "But he still kept it together and made big pitches with guys on base early in the game."

FIVE TAKEWAYS

BREWERS IN ON MACHADO: Three reports indicated the Brewers were in on shortstop Manny Machado enough to have made an offer to the Baltimore Orioles, who are determined to move him before he hits free agency. Baltimore has to balance the desire to maximize the return for one of the best players in the game while also acknowledging he is a two-month “rental.” With Orlando Arcia sent to the minors amid a season-long slump, putting a premier player at shortstop for the playoff push would be a huge coup for the Brewers, who obviously are thinking big at this point. A Baltimore Sun report said offers for Machado have been “very close” in terms of talent but indicated the Dodgers have the “most enticing” offer, followed by the Diamondbacks. Beyond the cost of prospects to acquire Machado, a team would have to pick up the remainder of his $16 million salary. Per his policy, Brewers GM David Stearns declined to comment on the reports.

ROTATION IN FLUX: With Zach Davies on the DL for an undermined period with shoulder/back issues and Brent Suter sidelined with a forearm strain, it would seem logical that the Brewers would explore a trade for a proven starting pitcher. Stearns said that isn’t necessarily a priority, however: “We don’t think it’s going to be a long-term absence with Zach. And we have (Wade) Miley coming off the (60-day) DL, so he’s in the mix as well.” The Brewers have been mentioned as a possible suitor for Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom but it is highly unlikely they would be in on him and Machado.

STEARNS BELIEVES NELSON WILL PITCH: With the Brewers one week from the all-star break, Stearns said he still believes right-hander Jimmy Nelson will pitch in the majors this season. On the arduous comeback trail from major shoulder surgery last September, Nelson has yet to start throwing off a mound. “It might not be in July or August but I think we will see him on the mound,” Stearns said. "He still has some work ahead of him but we know Jimmy will do everything he can to make that happen.” If the Brewers are in the final stages of a playoff push, Nelson could provide a big boost in September.

THE MORE, THE MERRIER: Right-hander Corbin Burnes, called up from Class AAA Colorado Springs, is the 46th player to appear on the Brewers’ roster this season, the tying the Mets for second-most in the major leagues. The Angels have used 50 players. The Brewers used 50 in each of the previous two seasons.

THE WINNING FORMULA: The Brewers are 47-14 when hitting at least one home run, a .770 winning percentage that leads the National League. They rank second in the league with 115 homers.

RECORD

This year: 54-36

Last year: 49-41

ATTENDANCE

Sunday: 43,262 (fourth sellout)

This year: 1,660,336 (34,590 avg.)

Last year: 1,386,288 (28,881 avg.)

COMING UP

Monday: Brewers at Marlins, 6:10 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Chase Anderson (6-6, 3.99) vs. Miami RHP José Ureña (2-9, 4.18). TV: FS Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.