Lane Thomas sent the Guardians to the American League Championship Series with one swing. The outfielder launched a ma sive grand slam off Tigers ace Tarik Chad Wallach Jersey Skubal during the bottom of the fifth inning to propel the Guardians to a 7-3 ALDS-clinching Game 5 win over the Tigers on Saturday in Cleveland. The Guardians with a berth to the World Series on the line. Cleveland Guardians Lane Thomas, right, watches his grand slam in the fifth inning during Game 5 of baseballs American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. AP Cleveland pieced together its big inning off Skubal with the teams familiar, scrappy style dubbed Guards Ball, getting three singles one an infield roller to load the bases before Skubal hit Ramrez on the left hand to force in a run. Thomas, the following batter, launced the grand slam to give the Guardians a 5-1 lead, and they never looked back. Explore More It was another monster moment for Thomas, a Tenne see native and the reason why the club added Rocky Top to its postgame playlist. Definitely had some struggles those first two weeks, or maybe even the month, Thomas said, reflecting on his rocky start with Cleveland. Im just thankful they kind of hung with me and let me get my feet under me and kept giving me at-bats. It felt good to kind of come through late in September and obviously in the playoffs. Lane Thomas celebrates his grand slam. Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Skubal, the likely 2024 AL Cy Young winner, came into the fifth inning, having thrown 17 scorele s innings this postseason for the upstart Tigers. It was one pitch, Skubal said. I would love to have it back. But what a swing. In the moment, you think about executing the pitch and I didnt do it. This will sting a little bit and it should. Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal stands on the mound after giving up a grand slam to Cleveland Guardians Lane Thomas in the fifth inning during Game 5 of baseballs American League Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. AP Thomas also hit a three-run home run earlier this series in the Guardians 7-0 Game 1 win. with AP Matt Thaiss Jersey