In a dramatic finish at Progressive Field, Juan Soto powered the New York Yankees to their 41st World Series appearance with a clutch three-run homer in the 10th inning, leading the Yankees past the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series. With the win, the Yankees earned their first trip to the Fall Classic in 15 years, setting up a chance to pursue their 28th title.
This decisive moment came after a tense, tightly-contested game, the third straight thriller between these two teams. Locked in a 2-2 tie heading into extra innings, the Yankees found an opportunity when Austin Wells drew a walk with one out in the 10th. Alex Verdugo followed with a ground ball to Guardians‘ second baseman Andrés Giménez, but a critical mistake by rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio, who dropped the throw at second base, extended the inning and set the stage for Soto’s heroics.
With two outs, Cleveland’s Hunter Gaddis seemed poised to escape trouble, striking out Gleyber Torres and getting ahead in the count 1-2 against Soto. But the Yankees‘ star, acquired in a blockbuster seven-player trade with San Diego last December, battled fiercely, fouling off four tough pitches. On the eighth pitch of the at-bat, Soto connected, sending a towering shot over the center-field wall that broke the tie and silenced the Cleveland crowd.
As the ball soared, Soto celebrated down the first-base line with a sense of jubilation, knowing he had delivered in a defining moment for the Yankees. This was exactly why the team traded for him—to be a difference-maker in October. His homer, a statement of power and poise, propelled New York back to the World Series stage, a place where the Yankees have so often defined their legacy.
After Soto’s blast, the Yankees turned to Luke Weaver to close out the bottom of the 10th. Weaver retired the Guardians in order, and fittingly, the final out came on a fly ball to right field caught by none other than Soto, capping off his unforgettable night.
The Yankees’ journey to the World Series marks a triumphant return to prominence after missing the playoffs last year. With their victory over the Guardians, they will now face the winner of the National League Championship Series between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose Game 6 is set for Sunday night at Dodger Stadium.
For Yankees fans, this season has been a return to the championship aspirations that define the franchise. After a 15-year drought, the Bronx Bombers are back where they believe they belong, one step away from capturing their 28th title. And with Juan Soto’s bat leading the way, they have every reason to dream of adding another chapter to their storied history.
