Jesús Aguilar plays the hero in Game 6

MILWAUKEE – The postseason has been a grind for Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jesús Aguilar.

In his first games of the playoffs he managed only four hits in 22 at-bats and was hitless in six plate appearances with runners in scoring position.

But in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium his bat showed signs of life. Then he played the role of hero in Game 6 at Miller Park.

Now Aguilar and his teammates will get a chance to win another big home game Saturday with a berth in the World Series on the line.

“We’ve been battling the entire year for this moment,” Aguilar said after the game. “We’re gonna be there tomorrow, and we’re gonna try to do it the right way tomorrow.”

A big night

In the first inning Aguilar drove in two runs with a two-out double against Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu. Milwaukee scored two more runs as all nine Brewers stepped into the batter’s box in the first.

“I tried to be aggressive right away,” Aguilar said after the game. “[Ryu] threw me a good pitch and I hit it good and we scored two runs and then the energy was up and everybody followed with hits and we scored four runs. And then [Brewers Game 6 starter Wade] Miley did a great job.”

The double was Aguilar’s first hit with runners in scoring position in the series, but he wasn’t done there, driving in a third run later in the game. Aguilar alone provided more offense than the combined force of the Dodgers generated against Miley and three Brewers relievers.

Through Games 5 and 6, Aguilar had four combined hits, including three doubles, in eight at-bats.

Much has been said and written about the struggles of Aguilar, Christian Yelich and Ryan Braun for the Brewers. But Aguilar has remained confident in himself and his teammates, stressing that the hero can be anyone.

“I don’t think about me,” he said. “I just try to think about the team. The most important thing at the end of the day is winning games. Tomorrow [the hero] can be someone else but tonight it was me and I’m really happy about that. If that means I’m getting hot, I hope I stay hot.”

Home cooking

After playing two afternoon games in sunny, 80-degree Los Angeles, coming home to an overcast 50-degree Milwaukee was exactly what the Brewers needed. Aguilar spoke about how much energy the Brewers pick up from their home fans.

“When you play at home with the fan support like we had today [throughout the playoffs] it’s great,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar chuckled when asked about the volume in the building when Dodgers’ shortstop Manny Machado was announced and each time he batted. After Machado and Aguilar got mixed up at first base during Game 4 in Los Angeles, Brewers fans let Machado hear it on Friday night.

Now those fans will get the opportunity to boost their team in a winner-take-all Game 7.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow night,” Aguilar said with a huge smile. “It’s going to be a big day for us. I really believe that.”

Featured Image: Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport