Phillies’ Ben Lively Solid in Grapefruit League Debut

For a first time out, the results could not have gone any better for Philadelphia Phillies right-handed starting candidate Ben Lively.

Lively struck out three of the seven batters he faced over two innings, giving up just one hit against the Yankees in front of 9,236 at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Monday night.

Lively was in and out after throwing just 13 pitches, all for strikes.

Its a solid start for Lively, who is among a group of young arms competing for a spot at the back-end of the rotation. In 2016, Lively made his major league debut, finishing his rookie campaign with a 4.26 ERA and 52/24 K/BB ratio in 88 2/3 innings over 15 starts. He threw six or more innings in 10 of his 15 starts.

Lively is in competition with a group that includes Nick Pivetta, Mark Leiter Jr., Zach Eflin, Drew Hutchinson and Jake Thompson.

The 25-year old was acquired in a 2014 New Year's eve deal for Marlon Byrd.

The Phillies lost the game 4-3.