CLEVELAND — Lane Thomas started the ALDS with a three-run homer to the left-field bleachers at Progressive Field in Game 1. He punctuated the series and punched Cleveland’s ticket to the ALCS with a grand slam to a similar spot, which fueled a 7-3 Guardians win in a decisive Game 5.
Thomas, a July trade acquisition turned October hero, broke a 1-1 tie with a frenzy-inducing blast on a 97 mph sinker from Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who had once again silenced Cleveland’s bats before a nightmarish fifth inning.
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The Guardians emerged from a high-tension, in-division battle and will head to Yankee Stadium for a best-of-seven brawl between the top two
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