Watch: Lane Thomas hits grand slam off Tarik Skubal

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas runs the bases after hitting a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Watch: Guardians OF Lane Thomas hits grand slam off Tigers ace Tarik Skubal

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Oct 12, 2024 2:57 PM ET

Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas flipped Game 5 of the ALDS against the Tigers with a grand slam off likely AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

LANE THOMAS. GRAND SLAM. @CLEGUARDIANS ON TOP.#ALDS pic.twitter.com/9bxvHY59T9
— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2024

His home run gave Cleveland (92-69) a 5-1 lead in the win-or-go-home scenario.

Per the TBS broadcast, it was the first Guardians grand slam since Francisco Lindor in Game 2 of the 2017 ALDS against the Yankees.

Lindor recently hit his second career postseason grand slam — in Game 4 of the NLDS for the Mets against the Phillies.

FRANCISCO LINDOR. GRAND SLAM. #NLDS pic.twitter.com/CdKuEVOfT3
— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2024

Thomas' grand slam was the first home run allowed by Skubal since Sept. 12.

The favorite to win the AL Cy Young entered the fifth inning having not allowed a run since Sept. 18, a span of 28 innings.

The Guardians acquired Thomas from the Nationals at the trade deadline.

He has two home runs this postseason after hitting seven in 53 games since being traded. Thomas hit a three-run blast in his first bat of the ALDS in a 7-0 Guardians win.

His second home run gave Cleveland a big lead as it looks to advance to the ALCS for the first time since 2016.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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