Bell boosts Indians to Game 1 victory

The last time the Indians won a playoff game at home, Josh Bell was entering second grade. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old helped his club make a big first impression in the postseason.

Pittsburgh's third-ranked prospect collected two hits and scored a run as Triple-A Indianapolis topped Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 7-3, on Wednesday at Victory Field to claim Game 1 in the best-of-5 International League semifinals, marking its first home postseason win since 2000.

"First game of playoffs, coming out like we did, scoring early, it's always a great opportunity to jump on a team, maintain the lead," Bell said. "I just tried to stick with my game plan, just try to barrel up the ball the best I could and play some defense and it ended up working out."

The first baseman helped get things started for the Indians in a six-run first inning with a one-out single to center field. No. 12 Pirates prospect Willy Garcia, John Bowker and Gustavo Nunez delivered RBIs, and Dan Gamache highlighted the frame with a three-run double to left.

"We're hitting the balls in the right places. It was one of those things where [it was] just right spot, right time, just hit after hit. Sometimes that happens in the game, and we were on the right side of the ball for it," MLB.com's No. 33 overall prospect said. "Striking first, continuing to play our game and what not, I just feel like it's just one of those things where you have to compete every game, but the first one is really important to strike first and we'll try to ride that out for the rest of the year."

Bell committed a force attempt fielding error at first in the fourth, but made up for it on the back end of five double plays -- a season high by Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hitters. The RailRiders were held to three runs, one on an RBI single by Yankees' second-ranked prospect Aaron Judge.

Indians starter Wilfredo Boscan (1-0) picked up the win after allowing an unearned run on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in seven frames. Josh Wall nailed down the final four outs for the save.

"Boscan pitched his tail off out there, ground ball after ground ball. A couple of them got through, but whenever runners were on for the most part, he would battle and get himself another ground ball and get another double play. It really kept us ahead for the large majority of the game," Bell said. "He's one of those guys, as well as our entire pitching staff, that we're just happy they're on our team and we're playing defense behind him instead of hitting in front of him."

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Kyle Haynes (0-1) was tagged for six runs on five hits and two walks in one frame.

Indianapolis hosts the second game at 7:05 p.m. ET on Thursday.

In other IL playoff action:

Columbus 5, Norfolk 2

Clippers starter Ryan Merritt worked around seven hits and a walk while striking out two over 6 2/3 scoreless frames en route to the Game 1 win. Audy Ciriaco drove in two runs and Indians' No. 10 prospect Erik Gonzalez chipped in an RBI. Norfolk will host Game 2 at 6:35 p.m. ET on Thursday in the best-of-5 series. Gameday box score