By Mike Brandyberry

Friday evening the Indians survived a sour start by Jeanmar Gomez to come back and take the lead. The offense was spurred by Russ Canzler and his first Major League home run and the bullpen was able to hang on, giving the Tribe a 7-6 victory. Canzler was 3 for 4, with a three RBIs to go with his homer.

The win was the Indians’ third victory in four games on the current road trip. After losing 21 of their last 24 road games, it appears the Tribe is starting to regain their stride on the road. “I think it takes a bit of a toll, so many days on the road,” Indians Manager Manny Acta said. “If you’re going to be on the road for that long, it’s not as beneficial at times. But we can’t control that. I think everybody’s doing it so you have to deal with it. I think everybody has kind of the same schedule. So just deal with it.”

The current 10-game road trip is the third trip of nine or 10 games since late July, when the Indians took their tumble in the standings.

Tonight, Zach McAllister (5-6, 4.26 ERA) tries to rebound from a tumble of his own. McAllister has been rather reliable in an unreliable season, but allowed 11 hits and seven runs—including a career worst four homers—to the Texas Rangers on September 2. He also struggled in his previous appearance against the Oakland Athletics. In his first season of extended time in the big leagues, he could be hitting the wall with a tired arm. He is nearing his career high in innings pitched as a professional.

Minnesota counters with right-hander Cole De Vries (4-5, 4.41 ERA) for tonight’s game. De Vries has pitched well in his last two starts, but they were both on the road. He has only compiled a 1-3 record with a 6.68 ERA in seven home starts. He allowed only one run in six and two-third innings last Saturday against the Kansas City Royals in a 3-1 Twinkies win.

Acta said on Friday the team is considering returning Lonnie Chisenhall to the active roster or sending him back on additional rehabilitation games in the minor leagues. Both Lake County and Akron are still alive in postseason play. Chisenhall played two games with the Aeros in Bowie, Maryland on Wednesday and Thursday.

Tonight’s game is an hour earlier than the normal Central Time start. Game action begins at 7:10 pm ET and can be found on WKYC-3 on television or WTAM 1100-AM on radio. The broadcast can be heard on the entire Indians Radio Network.

Cleveland Indians Starting Lineup
1. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
2. Jason Kipnis, DH
3. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
4. Carlos Santana, C
5. Michael Brantley, CF
6. Russ Canzler, 1B
7. Cord Phelps, 2B
8. Jack Hannahan, 3B
9. Ezequiel Carrera, LF

Minnesota Twins Starting Lineup
1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Josh Willingham, DH
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Ryan Doumit, LF
7. Chris Parmelee, RF
8. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
9. Pedro Florimon, SS

Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images