(CNN) — The New York Yankees qualified for the World Series for the first time since 2009 after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 on Saturday in overtime of Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.
A dramatic home run by Giancarlo Stanton in the sixth inning and a three-run shot by Juan Soto in the 10th propelled the Yankees back to the Fall Classic.
With the victory, the Yankees secured their 41st appearance in the World Series, marking their return to the Fall Classic after a 15-year absence, when they won their 27th championship.
Soto, who hit the decisive hit, called the opportunity to send his team to the World Series “the best feeling you can have.”
“That’s what we play for, that’s why we came from day one, we work hard every day, we are here and we achieved it,” Soto said after the game. “We have all the talent we need to go all the way. Right now we feel very good.”
The Yankees now await the winner of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. The Dodgers have a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6 this Sunday in Los Angeles.
Cleveland took an early 2-0 lead in Game 5, with Guardians starter Tanner Bibee holding off the Yankees’ offense. Bibee posted a shutout in 5 2/3 innings, retiring 12 of the 13 batters entering the sixth inning.
However, fatigue began to set in as he faced the heart of the Yankees’ order, allowing Gleyber Torres and Soto to hit back-to-back singles.
After Aaron Judge hit a double play, the Yankees’ rally seemed to fizzle out.
But Giancarlo Stanton had other plans. Until his last strike, with two outs, Stanton hit a 135-meter drive to left center field, tying the game 2-2 and hitting the 16th home run of his postseason career.
Stanton’s home run, which reached almost 190 km/h with the bat, allowed him to surpass Babe Ruth and Judge for fourth place in the most postseason home runs in franchise history. His four home runs in the American League Championship Series earned him series MVP honors.
In the 10th inning, catcher Austin Wells got the Yankees’ offense going with a walk off Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis. Moments later, Alex Verdugo came up to bat and hit a double play, but shortstop Brayan Rocchio dropped it, allowing both runners to be safe.
After a Gleyber Torres strikeout, Soto appeared, the big acquisition of the offseason, who was traded to the Yankees from the San Diego Padres in a seven-player trade in December.
Faced with a 1-2 count, Soto battled through a seven-pitch at-bat before smashing a three-run home run to seal the Yankees’ victory. The superstar outfielder celebrated at first base, beating his chest as he looked toward his team’s dugout, before rounding the bases.
“A hit to remember,” Boone said of Soto’s hit. “It is also not surprising that he does it. It’s like he’s like that. “He’s so good at seizing the moment.”
Soto’s hit was the first home run to close a postseason series in overtime since Boone’s iconic home run in Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox.
Yankees closer Luke Weaver, who blew the save in Game 3, redeemed himself by pitching two innings while facing four batters in the bottom of the frame to close the door on the Guardians’ hopes of a comeback.
“Obviously we are hurt. What a game to finish it. This group of guys worked very hard from day one. We believed and continue to believe that we can be better. We can be more,” Guardians coach Stephen Vogt said after the game.
“But I couldn’t be more proud of what this group has accomplished. There is only one team that manages to win the last game of the year, and unfortunately it is not going to be us.”
The Yankees will now prepare for the World Series, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday, October 25, in search of their 28th title in franchise history.
