DETROIT — The Cleveland Guardians triumphed over the Detroit Tigers 7-3 in a decisive Game 5 on Saturday, ending their eight-game losing streak in winner-take-all playoff encounters. This victory secured the Guardians’ advancement to the American League Championship Series (ALCS), where they will face the New York Yankees.
Central to Cleveland’s success was Lane Thomas, who hit a grand slam, significantly impacting the game. The Guardians concluded the regular season series against the Tigers at a close 7-6, but Detroit edged them out in run differential, finishing 60-50.
In Saturday’s match, the starting pitchers were Matthew Boyd for the Guardians and Tarik Skubal for the Tigers, reprising their roles from Game 2.
Emmanuel Clase was crucial for Cleveland, recording the final six outs of the game, ensuring their progression to the ALCS. The Guardians will kick off the series against the Yankees on Monday night in New York.
The Guardians extended their lead in the eighth inning when Brayan Rocchio contributed an RBI single, pushing the score to 7-3. Earlier in the game, Lane Thomas’ grand slam sent the home crowd into a frenzy, marking Cleveland’s first postseason grand slam since Francisco Lindor’s in 2017.
Despite a strong effort from the Tigers, including Colt Keith driving in a run with a double, they were unable to overcome the Guardians’ lead. With this victory, the Guardians look ahead to their next challenge against the Yankees in the best-of-seven ALCS.