CLEVELAND -- Guardians center fielder Lane Thomas understands moments like the one presented to him in Game 5 of the AL Division Series on Saturday don't happen often when an ace like Tarik Skubal of the Tigers is on the mound.
Skubal had stymied Cleveland hitters throughout yet another brilliant outing but finally ran into trouble in the fifth inning of the decisive contest between AL Central foes. After Skubal hit Jose Ramirez with a pitch to bring home the tying run, Thomas stepped up to the plate against the likely AL Cy Young Award winner with the bases loaded.
The crowd at Progressive Field finally began to stir after a sleepy first few innings on offense for the home team. Its mood changed in one swing.
"You dream of at-bats like that as a little kid, and to do it on this stage, in this game, and to come through for the guys in the clubhouse, it feels awesome," Thomas said after hitting a Skubal 97 mph fastball 396 feet to left field for a grand slam. "About the third inning I was talking with some guys, and I'm like, 'Whatever we're doing doesn't seem to be working. We have to put the ball in play.'"
Skubal had stymied Cleveland hitters throughout yet another brilliant outing but finally ran into trouble in the fifth inning of the decisive contest between AL Central foes. After Skubal hit Jose Ramirez with a pitch to bring home the tying run, Thomas stepped up to the plate against the likely AL Cy Young Award winner with the bases loaded.
The crowd at Progressive Field finally began to stir after a sleepy first few innings on offense for the home team. Its mood changed in one swing.
"You dream of at-bats like that as a little kid, and to do it on this stage, in this game, and to come through for the guys in the clubhouse, it feels awesome," Thomas said after hitting a Skubal 97 mph fastball 396 feet to left field for a grand slam. "About the third inning I was talking with some guys, and I'm like, 'Whatever we're doing doesn't seem to be working. We have to put the ball in play.'"
