Yankees top Guardians to win AL pennant as Soto delivers

Yankees top Guardians to win AL pennant as Soto delivers

Yankees top Guardians to win AL pennant as Soto delivers

CLEVELAND — Juan Soto delivered a clutch three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning, propelling the New York Yankees to their 41st World Series — and first in 15 years — with a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night.


Baseball’s most storied franchise is returning to the sport’s grandest stage, thanks to Soto’s decisive swing against Cleveland reliever Hunter Gaddis. Soto, who was acquired in a seven-player trade with San Diego last December, came through in a crucial moment.


“I was all over it,” Soto told TBS after the game. “I just kept telling myself, ‘You’re all over that guy.’ I knew I had to make good contact, and I did.”


Soto’s game-winning blast was only the second extra-inning home run in a series-clinching game in Yankees postseason history, the other being Aaron Boone’s iconic Game 7 homer against the Red Sox in the 2003 ALCS. Now Boone, the Yankees’ manager, will lead the team in pursuit of their 28th championship, facing either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.


Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who orchestrated the blockbuster trade for Soto, expressed confidence after the win: “We’re right where we belong.”


The Yankees broke through in the 10th inning when Austin Wells walked, and Alex Verdugo reached on an error by Guardians rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio. With two outs, Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres and had Soto in a 1-2 count before Soto smashed the game-changing homer over the center field wall. As he rounded the bases, fans chanted, "Re-sign Soto!" with Soto’s upcoming free agency looming.


ALCS MVP Giancarlo Stanton also played a key role, hitting a game-tying two-run homer in the sixth inning. The Yankees won the series 3-2, but it wasn’t without drama. After dominating the first two games at Yankee Stadium, New York faced stiff resistance in Cleveland, where every game was a nail-biter. The Guardians won Game 3 with late homers, and the Yankees narrowly escaped Game 4 after nearly blowing a four-run lead.


“This was a roller coaster, but we kept punching back,” Stanton said. “We know there’s more work to do, and it only gets tougher from here.”


Cleveland’s magical season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt ended just short of the World Series. The franchise's 75-year championship drought — the longest in MLB — continues.


For the Yankees, a return to the World Series is where they feel they belong, especially after last season’s disappointing 82-80 finish. Following some soul searching, the team’s decision to acquire Soto in a blockbuster deal last winter has paid off, positioning the Bronx Bombers as serious contenders once again.


Boone, who has faced criticism during his tenure, reflected on the Soto trade with a smile: “That was a good day.”