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