Any Cleveland Guardians fans still on the fence about Lane Thomas had a change of heart Saturday. The outfielder struggled months after getting traded to the Guardians from the Washington Nationals. But in Game 5 of the ALDS, with the game tied 1-1, Thomas showed up clutch in the moment.
Thomas crushed a go-ahead grand slam off Detroit Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal in the fifth inning.
The home run ignited the fans packed into Cleveland’s Progressive Field.
Thomas later drove in another ring in the seventh, completing a day that will last in Guardians history. Thomas finished the game 2-for-4 with five runs driven in.
Cleveland acquired Thomas in a trade on July 29 from the Nationals. In exchange, the Nationals received prospects Alex Clemmey, Rafael Ramirez Jr., and Jose Tena.
Tena immediately impacted the Nationals after getting called up to the majors. The young infielder slashed .274/.305/.363 with three home runs, 15 RBI, and six stolen bases in 41 games.
Meanwhile, Thomas struggled mightily. He hit .209/.267/.390 in 53 games. The contrast in performances sparked skepticism about the trade from Guardians fans and media.
However, Thomas started to heat up in the season’s final month. He hit .264 with a .855 OPS in September. All seven of his home runs and 20 of 23 RBI with Cleveland occurred in the regular season’s final month.
Thomas carried that momentum over into the postseason. He hit .316 with a .947 OPS, two home runs, and nine RBI in the ALDS against the Tigers. Saturday’s grand slam was a culmination. Guardians fans can hop aboard the Lane Thomas train, heading into the ALCS against the New York Yankees.
