A week ago, the Twins came home off a 2-3 road trip. Today, they open a five-game homestand off a 3-2 road trip.

Amazing how much difference one win makes.

"It was a fun road trip. We played pretty well in New York, and got a big win last night" in Milwaukee, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said as the Twins prepared for the home half of this four-game split series with the Brewers. "So guys come back here pretty positive."

Still, Gardenhire made it clear that he feels a little bit lucky to have escaped with that 6-4 victory on Tuesday. The Twins walked eight hitters and allowed eight hits; if Milwaukee hadn't gone 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position -- or hadn't hit into three double plays -- the game would have been quite different.

"It means we're getting ground balls, first and foremost, but it means we're also putting some people on base. We walked too many, and it put us in a lot of jams," Gardenhire said. "We ended up getting ground balls and getting through it, but I don't think you want to live like that."

The Twins send Ricky Nolasco, who has had uncharacteristic problems with his command recently, walking eight batters in his last three starts, to the mound tonight against the Brewers. Nolasco's ERA in eight previous starts against Milwaukee is 7.58, and the Brewers have batted .345 against him. But Marco Estrada, Milwaukee's starter, isn't much better against Minnesota; in five games, including three starts, Estrade owns a 6.11 ERA.

Here are the lineups for tonight's 7:10 p.m. start:

BREWERS

Segura SS

Braun RF

Lucroy C

Gomez CF

Ramirez DH

Weeks 2B

Reynolds 3B

Overbay 1B

Schafer LF

Estrada RHP

TWINS

Santana CF

Dozier 2B

Mauer 1B

Willingham LF

Arcia RF

Plouffe 3B

Suzuki C

Pinto DH

Escobar SS

Nolasco RHP