The New York Yankees clinch their first World Series berth since 2009

CNN
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The New York Yankees join the World Series for the first time since 2009 after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in extra innings of Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday.

A thrilling game-tying home run from Giancarlo Stanton (Giancarlo Stanton) in the sixth inning and a go-ahead three-run blast by Juan Soto in the tenth inning sent the Yankees back to the Fall Classic.

With the win, the Yankees earned their 41st World Series appearance, marking a return to the Fall Classic after a 15-year absence, when they won their 27th championship.

Soto, who delivered the decisive blow, called the opportunity to send his team to the World Series “the best feeling you could ever have.”

“This is what we play for, and this is what we came for since day one,” Soto said after the match. “We worked hard every day, and we are here and we accomplished it.” “We have all the talent we need to move forward. Now we feel really good.”

The Yankees now await the winner of the NLCS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. The Dodgers lead 3-2 heading into Sunday’s Game 6 in Los Angeles.

Cleveland took an early 2-0 lead in Game 5, with Guardians starter Tanner Bibee keeping the Yankees’ offense at bay. Bibby pitched the shutout over 5 2/3 innings, retiring 12 of 13 batters entering the sixth inning.

However, fatigue began to show when he faced the Yankees’ bullpen, allowing Gleyber Torres and Soto to hit back-to-back singles.

After Aaron Judge grounded into a double play, the Yankees’ rally seemed to go out.

But, Giancarlo Stanton had other plans. Coming to his final goal, with two outs, Stanton crushed a 446-foot shot to left center field, tying the game 2-2 with his 16th career home run of the postseason.

Stanton’s blast, which clocked at 117.5 mph off the bat, moved him past Babe Ruth and Judge into fourth place on the list of most postseason home runs in franchise history. His four home runs in the ALCS earned him Series MVP honors.

In the 10th inning, catcher Austin Wells got the Yankees’ offense going, pulling a full count off Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis. Moments later, Alex Verdugo came to bat and struck out on a potential double play, but shortstop Bryan Rocchio dropped it, allowing both runners to be safe.

After Gleyber Torres’ strikeout, the big offseason acquisition came Soto, who was traded to the Yankees from the San Diego Padres in a seven-player trade in December.

Facing a 1-2 count, Soto battled through a seven-pitch at-bat before crushing a three-run home run to seal the win for the Yankees. The star player at first base celebrated, beating his chest as he looked toward his team’s dugout, before circling the bases.

“Just a shot for the ages,” Boone said of Soto’s shot. “It’s also no surprise that he did that. It’s just who he is. He’s very good at seizing the moment.”

Soto’s blast was the first postseason series-clinching home run in extra innings since Boone’s famous homer in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees closer Luke Weaver, who blew the save in Game 3, redeemed himself by throwing two runs, while facing four batters in the bottom of the frame to close the door on the Guardians’ hopes of a comeback.

“Obviously we’re hurting. What a game to finish. This group of guys have worked so hard since day one. We believed, and we still believe we can be better. We can be more,” Guardians manager Steven Vogt said after the game. “.

“But I couldn’t be prouder of what this group has accomplished. There’s only one team that can win the final game of the year, and unfortunately it won’t be us.”

The Yankees will now prepare for the World Series, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday, October 25, as they seek their 28th title in franchise history.