CLEVELAND — Guardians center fielder Lane Thomas recognizes that opportunities like the one he faced in Game 5 of the AL Division Series are rare, especially against an ace like Tarik Skubal from the Tigers. Skubal had been dominating Cleveland hitters again with another stellar performance but encountered difficulties in the fifth inning of this crucial matchup between AL Central rivals. After Skubal hit Jose Ramirez with a pitch, allowing the tying run to score, Thomas came to the plate with the bases loaded.
The atmosphere at Progressive Field shifted after a lackluster offensive showing in the early innings. Thomas made it electric with one swing.
“You dream of moments like that as a kid, and to perform on this stage in this game, it feels amazing,” Thomas said following his grand slam, which launched a 97 mph fastball from Skubal 396 feet into left field. “After a couple of innings, I was telling the guys that whatever we were doing wasn’t working. We needed to put the ball in play.”
His grand slam lifted the Guardians to a 5-1 lead, ultimately securing a 7-3 victory. This achievement made him the fourth player in MLB postseason history to hit a go-ahead grand slam in a winner-takes-all game.
As Cleveland moved on to face the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series, Thomas received accolades from teammates during the champagne and cigar celebration in the clubhouse.
“He’s an incredible player,” said Josh Naylor, referring to Thomas, who was traded from the Nationals in July. “I knew his potential before we brought him here.”
Ramirez added his confidence in Thomas, stating, “When I got hit, I just knew he would come through. I knew he would.”
The grand slam was also 2 feet farther than his earlier home run in Game 1, further establishing Thomas as the series’ standout player. His performance has significantly improved since he struggled early on, batting just .111 with a .197 OBP in his first 20 games with the team.
“We made a significant investment to acquire him, and moments like this make it worthwhile,” said Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, wiping champagne from his eyes. “He’s a complete player.”
Cleveland hitting coach Chris Valaika acknowledged that Thomas just needed time to settle in.
“We went through an adjustment period with him. Once he became one of the guys here, he was fine,” Valaika said.
Facing Skubal was undoubtedly intimidating, especially since the 27-year-old left-hander had thrown 17 consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason, including seven innings in Game 2. Valaika advised hitters to be ready for the first fastball.
Thomas followed that advice, drastically changing the game’s tempo with his home run. This also made it easier for manager Stephen Vogt to manage the bullpen after pulling starter Matthew Boyd after only two innings.
“There were moments where we had to adjust our plans, but it was about reading the game and responding accordingly,” Vogt said.
The game ultimately saw closer Emmanuel Clase secure a potential six-out save, a chance for redemption after struggles earlier in the series against the Tigers.
He struck out Kerry Carpenter in a dramatic eight-pitch battle with a runner on base in the eighth inning, showcasing his intensity with seven of those eight pitches exceeding 100 mph.
“It went from 100 to 150,” Clase said through an interpreter regarding his competitive spirit. “This was my moment to prove myself.”
Clase continued to excel, closing the game in the ninth inning, rounding off an exhilarating five-game series.
“This series was incredible,” remarked Tigers manager AJ Hinch. “It’s great for baseball and the AL Central.”
For Thomas, overcoming early challenges to become a Cleveland hero marked a major milestone. His home run against one of the league’s top pitchers has set his team on the path towards the World Series.
“Those first few weeks were tough, but I’m grateful that the team stood by me and gave me chances,” Thomas said. “You have to appreciate that.”