Guardians' Ben Lively: Takes tough loss

Lively (7-4) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over six innings while striking out five.

Lively was sharp for most of the contest and didn't allow a runner to reach second base until the fifth inning, when Nick Loftin walked and then advanced on a steal. Unfortunately for Lively, his luck would run out in the following frame after he surrendered back-to-back triples, eventually leading to two runs coming home for Kansas City. The outing marked Lively's first quality start this month, but he's allowed two or fewer runs in six of his last seven outings. He's also lost two of his last three starts after previously winning five straight.