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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A bad start to the franchise’s first playoff game in four years doomed Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a 6-3 loss to Indianapolis in Game 1 of the International League semifinals on Wednesday night.

But a late run might be something the RailRiders can build upon for the rest of the best-of-five series.

The Indians got to RailRiders starter Kyle Haynes for six runs in the first inning when 10 batters marched to the plate. Indianapolis stole two of its four bases in the inning to batter the right-handed Haynes and put the RailRiders in a deep hole. A run-scoring hit by Josh Bell put the Indians on the board at 1-0, and two more scored on groundouts for a 3-0 lead.

But Haynes then ran into more problems, walking the bases loaded before Dann Gamache slammed a bases-clearing double to give Indianapolis a six-run advantage.

After that, the RailRiders’ bullpen of Conor Mullee, Chris Martin and Andury Acevedo pitched seven scoreless innings with Mullee tossing four scoreless frames.

The relieving core, which has been solid all season SWB, gave the team a chance to chip away at the big deficit.

The offense got on the board in the top of the fourth on a RBI single by Aaron Judge, trimming the lead to 6-1.

For the first time in the game, the RailRiders had the Indians concerned in the eighth inning. That’s when SWB got a two-run single from the reigning International League Batter of the Week Ali Castillo, pulling his team within 6-3. After Gary Sanchez, who was activated off the disabled list before the game, singled following Castillo’s hit, the RailRiders had the tying run at the plate with one out. But pinch-hitter Rob Segedin and Judge struck out to end the threat.

There were more chances for the RailRiders in the contest as they had 11 hits, the same amount as Indy, but they hit into a RailRiders record-tying five double plays. The only other time that has happened in the RailRiders’ era was in the 20-inning game in 2013 against Toledo.

The Indians tacked on a run in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Gamache.

Notes: Indianapolis picked up its first playoff win at home since Sept. 15, 2000, when the team beat the Red Barons in the Governors’ Cup Finals. … Indianapolis starter Wilfredo Boscan pitched seven innings and still hasn’t lost since June 22. … The winner of Game 1 of every postseason series the SWB franchise has played in since the Yankees took over in 2007 has ended up winning the series.

RailRiders 2, Bisons 0

RailRiders`AB`R`H`BI

Heathcott cf`5`1`2`0

Castillo 2b`4`0`2`2

Gamel lf`4`0`0`0

Sanchez c`3`1`2`0

Roller 1b`3`0`0`0

Segedin ph/1b`1`0`0`0

Judge rf`3`0`1`1

Figueroa 3b`4`0`1`0

Petit ss`4`0`1`0

Higashioka c`3`1`2`0

Cave ph`1`0`0`0

Totals`35`3`11`2

Indianapolis`AB`R`H`BI

Hanson 2b`4`1`1`0

Hernandez cf`4`0`1`0

Bell 1b`4`1`2`0

Garcia rf`4`1`1`1

Bowker dh`4`0`1`1

Rojas pr/dh`0`1`0`0

Broxton lf`3`1`2`0

Sanchez c`1`1`0`0

Gamache 3b`3`1`1`4

Nunez ss`4`0`2`1

Totals`31`7`11`7

RailRiders`000`000`o00`—`0

Indians`001`100`00x` —`2

E: Bell (1), Nunez (1). DP: Indians 5, RailRiders 2. LOB: Indians 5, RailRiders 7. 2B: Heathcott (1), Gamache (1). Outfield assists: Heathcott (Broxton at third), Garcia (Sanchez at first). SB: Hanson (1), Broxton 2 (2). CS: Nunez. SF: Gamache.

RailRiders`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO

Haynes (L, 0-1)`1.0`5`6`6`2`1

Mullee`4.0`3`0`0`0`3

Martin`1.o`0`0`0`1`1

Acevedo`2.0`3`1`1`1`2

Indianapolis`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO

Boscan (W, 1-0)`7.0`7`1`0`2`4

Morris `0.0`2`2`1`0`0

Bleich (H, 1)`0.2`1`0`0`0`2

Wall (S, 1)`1.1`1`0`0`0`1

WP: Morris, Wall

Umpires: HP: Chad Whitson. 1B: Seth Buckminster. 2B: Carlos Torres. 3B: Dave Soucy

T: 2:45. Att: 2,333

Times Leader

The T.L. Express

Game Highlights: The RailRiders and Indians each had 11 hits in the game, but the Indians got the most out of theirs using a six-run inning highlighted by a three-run double from Dan Gamache. … SWB starter Kyle Haynes lasted just one inning as he allowed all six of those runs. … On the offensive side, the RailRiders got multiple hit efforts from Slade Heathcott (2 for 5), Ali Castillo (2 for 4, 2 RBI), Gary Sanchez (2 for 3) and Kyle Higashioka (2 for 3).

Riding the Rails: The RailRiders activated catcher and middle of the lineup hitter Gary Sanchez off the disabled list on Wednesday prior to Game 1. In a corresponding move, SWB placed outfielder Taylor Dugas on the DL.

Today’s Game: Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs is tonight at 7:05 at Indianapolis’ Victory Field.

Today’s Probables: RailRiders lefty Eric Wooten (2-5, 4.66) vs. Indians right-hander Vance Worley (3-1, 2.38)

On Deck: The first postseason game at PNC Field since 2010 is Friday with first pitch set for 6:35 p.m.

On the Radio: All games can be heard on NEPA Sports Radio WYCK 1340-AM, 1400-AM, 1440-AM, 100.7-FM, 106.7-FM

HOW THEY SCORED

INDIANAPOLIS FIRST: Alen Hanson singled. Gorkys Hernandez struck out. Hanson stole second. Josh Bell singled, Hanson to third. Willy Garcia singled to score Hanson, Bell to third and Garcia to second on the throw home. John Bowker grounded out, Bell scored, Garcia to third. Keon Broxton walked and stole second. Tony Sanchez walked to load the bases. Dan Gamache doubled to clear the bases. Gustavo Nunez singled to score Gamache. Hanson grounded out. INDIANS 6-0

RAILRIDERS FOURTH: Ben Gamel grounded out. Gary Sanchez walked. Kyle Roller reached on an error, Sanchez to third. Aaron Judge singled to score Sanchez and move Roller to second. Cole Figueroa grounded into a doubleplay. INDIANS 6-1

RAILRIDERS EIGHTH: Kyle Higashioka singled. Slade Heathcott reached on a force attempt, throwing error, Higashioka to third. Heathcott to second on a wild pitch. Ali Castillo singled to score Higashioka and Heathcott. Gamel struck out. Sanchez singled, Castillo to third. Rob Segedin pinch-hit for Kyle Roller and struck out. Judge struck out. INDIANS 6-3

INDIANAPOLIS EIGHTH: Garcia struck out. Bowker singled. Broxton singled. Mel Rojas Jr. pinch-ran for Bowker. Sanchez walked to load the bases. Gamache hit a sac fly. Nunez grounded out. INDIANS 7-3

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