MLB Playoffs: Yankees Clinch First Trip To World Series Since 2009

The New York Yankees are going back to the World Series.

Juan Soto’s three-run home run in the 10th inning lifted the Bronx Bombers to a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday. The team with the most World Series championships of any major league franchise with 27, the Yankees have not been to — or won — a World Series since 2009.

Soto also caught the final out of the game in the bottom of the 10th inning, setting off a raucous celebration among the Yankees’ players on the infield at Progressive Field. They will now wait to play the winner of the National League Championship Series, either the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets, when the World Series begins Oct. 25.

The Dodgers lead the Mets 3-2 in their best-of-seven series.

Giancarlo Stanton also homered for the Yankees, continuing a torrid October stretch for the veteran slugger. He had four hits in the five-game series, all home runs. Stanton drove in seven runs and also drew three walks, and was named the MVP of the series.

Soto hit three home runs and drove in six while batting .368 (7 for 19) in the series. Together, he and Stanton accounted for 7 of of the 10 New York home runs as the Yankees outscored the Guardians 29-20 over the five games.

The Yankees are now 7-2 in the postseason after finishing the regular season with the best record in the American League at 94-68. It’s been a remarkable turnaround considering they missed the postseason altogether a year ago, ending a run of six consecutive postseason appearances.

The Guardians were playing in their first ALCS since 2016, when they advanced to the World Series and came within one game of beating the Chicago Cubs for their first title since 1948. Now, baseball’s longest championship drought will continue another year.

Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis allowed the home run to Soto in the 10th inning, but did not allow an earned run while suffering the loss in the decisive game. With one out, he walked Austin Wells, then induced a routine ground ball by Alex Verdugo that looked certain to yield at least one out.

Instead, Cleveland shortstop Brayan Rocchio could not handle the relay throw from second baseman Andres Gimenez. Wells was safe at second base, Verdugo was safe at first, and instead of a forceout — or a double play — the inning continued as a result of the error.

Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres, an at-bat that should have ended the inning. Soto was up next, and he fouled off four pitches before belting a high fastball 402 feet to win the game.

Soto went 3 for 5, Torres went 2 for 5, and Yankees right-hander Luke Weaver pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game.

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