The Yankees are headed back to the World Series for the first time since 2009, with Juan Soto’s three-run blast in the 10th inning providing the margin of victory in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians. Giancarlo Stanton was named ALCS MVP.
CLEVELAND — Juan Soto hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the New York Yankees advanced to their 41st World Series — and first in 15 years — by beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night.
Baseball’s biggest brand is going back to October’s main stage.
Soto, who was acquired in a seven-player trade with San Diego in December, moved the Bronx Bombers into position with one big swing against Hunter Gaddis.
“I was all over it, I was all over it”, Soto told TBS of the decisive at-bat. “That was the only thing I was thinking. I was just saying to myself, ‘You’re all over that guy. You’re all over that guy.’ . I just had to make good contact, and I did.”
It was the second extra-inning home run in a potential series-clinching game in Yankees postseason history. The other was by Aaron Boone in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.
The Yankees will try to win their 28th title against either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 6 of the NL Championship Series is on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
“We’re right where we belong”, said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who pulled off the deal for Soto.
In the 10th, Austin Wells walked with one out and Alex Verdugo followed with a grounder to second baseman Andres Gimenez, whose soft toss to the bag was dropped by rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio for an error.
