CLEVELAND -- Ben Lively's start in Monday's series opener against the Brewers at Progressive Field was cut short when the right-hander exited due to right forearm inflammation.
Lively took the mound to warm up for the top of the fourth inning, but he soon was joined by head athletic trainer Jeff Desjardins, manager Stephen Vogt and pitching coach Carl Willis. After a brief conversation among the group, Lively walked off the mound with Desjardins.
The Guardians went on to win, 5-0. Lively threw three scoreless innings before exiting and allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one. The right-hander has been one of the Guardians’ most consistent starting pitchers this season. In eight starts entering Monday, he held a 3.46 ERA (first among Cleveland starters) in 41 2/3 innings (third).
Jakob Junis entered in relief of Lively and issued a single, a double and a walk to load the bases, but he escaped without allowing a run. Kolby Allard followed with three scoreless innings, as he continued his impressive stretch on Cleveland’s pitching staff.
The Guardians selected Allard from Columbus on April 26. He has recorded a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings over five appearances -- three of which have been at least three innings.
Gabriel Arias delivered the biggest hit for Cleveland, when he knocked a three-run double over center fielder Jackson Chourio’s head in the fourth inning. Arias (who went 2-for-4) made his fourth straight start at shortstop on Monday, after the Guardians optioned Opening Day shortstop Brayan Rocchio to Triple-A Columbus earlier in the day.
José Ramírez went 1-for-2 with two walks and three stolen bases, tying a career high. It was his third career game with three steals (also Aug. 12, 2016 and Aug. 26, 2021).