Vogt calls Guardians’ win ‘perfect picture of who our team is at our best’

CLEVELAND (WJW) – The Cleveland Guardians are celebrating after defeating the Detroit Tigers 7-3 in Game 5, now looking ahead to the ALCS against the New York Yankees just days away.

Following the game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was asked about the team’s major play in the fifth inning, when Andrés Giménez scored after José Ramírez was hit by the pitch and Lane Thomas launched a grand slam, helping the team take the 5-1 lead at the time.

“That’s who we are, that’s who that group in that room as been all year. As soon as we get punched, we answer,” Vogt said. “As soon as we give up a run, our guys come right back… I thought today was a perfect picture of who our team is at our best. It’s couldn’t have come on a better day.”

Thomas, who also smashed a homerun in the series opener last weekend, spoke out about hitting the grand slam off Detroit ace Tarik Skubal.

“You don’t get to hit in situations like that without guys taking some good bats in front of you, so it felt good to come through for the guys and have a big inning,” Thomas said. “I’ve got to be ready for the fast ball, he threw a good one that I could hit.”

“When we were approaching the trade deadline, we identified Lane as a player that we wanted. He fit a lot of what we needed and this guy has been a great player in this league for a few years now, and Lane has obviously had a great series for us,” Vogt said. “Lane is a phenomenal baseball player and we’re glad we got him.”

Vogt pointed out that their job isn’t done. The Guardians, hoping to break a 76-year World Series drought, will face off against the Yankees in the Bronx on Monday.

“We’re playing a very, very good Yankee team. We’ve seen them in the regular season. This is one of the most talented teams in the league and we know we have our work cut out for us. We’re going to enjoy tonight and when we wake up tomorrow, it’s go time.”

The first pitch for Monday’s game is set for 7:37 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.