Lively strikes out 6, Guardians top struggling Phillies 3-1 in interleague showdown of MLB's best

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Lively struck out six in six innings to lead the Cleveland Guardians to a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night in a matchup of teams with the best records in baseball.

The Phillies returned home for the first time since the All-Star break, yet failed to snap out of their recent offensive malaise. MLB-leading Philadelphia (64-39) lost for the fifth time in seven games since the break and the seventh time in the last 10 games overall. The Phillies lost two of three in Pittsburgh and Minnesota after the break.

The Phillies played more like lovable losers against the Guardians (62-41), who moved ahead of the Baltimore Orioles with the best record in the American League with the win and lead the AL Central. Philadelphia committed two errors, botched a rundown, failed to scoop playable one-hoppers in the dirt and chirped at umpires most of the game.

“Our pregame work was crisp and guys had a lot of energy,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “But we've got to throw the ball accurately. We've got to cover all our assignments. We didn't do that early.”

The Phillies are hoping help is on the way.

Philadelphia acquired outfielder Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for struggling right-handed pitcher Seranthony Domínguez and light-hitting outfielder Cristian Pache.

Originally selected by the Orioles in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft, Hays played 557 games for Baltimore over parts of seven seasons and had 121 doubles, eight triples, 66 home runs, 242 RBIs and 126 walks. The starting center fielder in the 2023 All-Star Game for the AL, Hays has just three homers and 14 RBIs in 63 games this season for Baltimore.

“We’ve liked Hays for a few years. I actually tried to acquire him the last two trading deadlines and we’ve been asked for much more than we wanted to give,” team president Dave Dombrowski said. “I know he hasn’t played all that much this year, he’s gotten squeezed out, we feel, from some playing time by all the good young outfielders they have.”

Thomson said Hays could earn the opportunity to become the starting left fielder. Hays sat in the dugout with his new teammates in the opener of a three-game series against the Guardians. Hays was scheduled to start Saturday against Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco.

“I'm going to a place where somebody's wanted me for a few years, so that's good to know,” Hays said.

The Phillies could have used some pop: Guardians reliever Cade Smith retired All-Star shortstop Trea Turner on a popup to shortstop to leave runners stranded on the corners to end the seventh.

Emmanuel Clase worked a scoreless ninth for his 32nd save.

Lively (9-6) gave up Bryson Stott’s solo homer in the fifth inning that made it 3-1, but was otherwise solid. He allowed three hits and walked two in winning for the first time since July 4.

“Ben has a big personality. He's competitive,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “He's a huge part of what we do. I couldn't be more happy for him.”

NL All-Star Cristopher Sánchez (7-6) allowed eight hits, three runs and committed an error over six innings.

David Fry had an RBI single in the first inning, and Bo Naylor brought home a run on a squeeze play and Angel Martínez had an RBI single in the fourth to give Cleveland a 3-0 lead.

TOP PICK

No. 1 overall draft pick Travis Bazzana made his minor league debut for Single-A Lake County. Cleveland selected the Australian second baseman first in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft earlier this month.

A former cricket, rugby and soccer player who came to the United States to play baseball for Oregon State, the 21-year-old hit .407 with 28 homers and 66 RBIs this season. He became the first Australian and first second baseman taken No. 1.

CLASE CLOSED

Clase converted his last 19 save opportunities dating to May 20 against the New York Mets. Over those 25 games, Clase has posted a 1.08 ERA (3 ER, 25.0 IP) with a 0.72 WHIP, 17 strikeouts and four walks.

OUTTA HERE

Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long was ejected in the third inning by plate umpire Rob Drake.

Up Next

Carlos Carrasco (3-8, 5.32 ERA) takes the mound against Phillies RHP Tyler Phillips (2-0, 2.81 ERA).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott, right, watches his solo home run off Cleveland Guardians' Ben Lively during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto, top, fields the ball as Cleveland Guardians' Andrés Giménez, rear, scores on a sacrifice hit by Bo Naylor during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Cleveland Guardians' Angel Martínez (1) steals second base past Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner, left, and Bryce Harper (3) during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Austin Hays sits in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Austin Hays is greeted by teammates in the dugout prior to a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott, right, celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Guardians' Ben Lively during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Cleveland Guardians' Ben Lively throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

CHICAGO (AP) — Lukas Reichel made his season debut for the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night after he was a healthy scratch for the team's opening four-game trip.

Reichel skated for 8 1/2 minutes during Chicago's 4-2 victory over San Jose in its home opener. He centered the team's fourth line in his 100th career game, playing alongside veteran forwards Pat Maroon and Craig Smith.

Coach Luke Richardson said he thought Reichel made some good plays.

“I thought he was, you know, hard in the face-off circle," Richardson said. "He blocked a shot in the third period, and he was really showing initiative to take hard strides out there, whether it was tracking back, which helps our (defense), or on the offense and on the forecheck. So it was a good start for him.”

Chicago also placed Alec Martinez on injured reserve before its victory over the Sharks. Fellow defenseman Isaak Phillips was recalled from Rockford of the AHL.

The 37-year-old Martinez, who skated in each of the team's first four games, has a right groin injury. He agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract with the Blackhawks in free agency.

“I think a groin strain is what they listed it as,” Richardson said. “It’s been kind of nagging for a while, and then last game, just kind of reaggravated it a bit. So we have to just give him time.”

Richardson had no update on goaltender Laurent Brossoit and defenseman Artyom Levshunov. Brossoit had meniscus surgery on his right knee on Aug. 27. Levshunov, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's NHL draft, is coming back from a right foot injury.

“Both of them are just not ready to join the team in practice yet, but have been on the ice,” Richardson said, “and will be back on the ice after a day or two off. I think they've been going pretty hard, and that's all I know there.”

The 22-year-old Reichel was a first-round pick in the 2020 entry draft, but he has struggled with inconsistency since his NHL debut almost three years ago. He re-signed with the Blackhawks in May, finalizing a two-year contract.

If Reichel's lackluster production continues this season and Chicago decides it wants to send him back to the minors, it would have to expose him to waivers.

It looked as if Reichel had turned a corner when he had four goals and four assists in his last eight games with Chicago during the 2022-23 season. He appeared in a career-high 65 games last year, but he only managed five goals and 11 assists.

Reichel said it was tough sitting out at the beginning of this season.

“You know you want to play every game, but what I learned from last year, you got to stay positive,” he said after the team's morning skate. “Everyone knows that I want to go out there and compete and play with the boys, but all you can do in that moment, you just got to focus (on) what you can control.”

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Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel walks the red carpet before the Blackhawks' home opener NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Lukas Reichel warms up before an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)