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The New York Yankees are headed to the 2024 World Series, courtesy of Juan Soto.
Soto’s three-run homer in the 10th inning of Game 5 powered the Yankees to an ALCS-clinching 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night.
The hit off Guardians closer Hunter Gaddis, which came with two outs and two strikes on the board, sent Jasson Dominguez and Alex Verdugo home and gave the Yankees a late three-run lead.
Soto, who was named a co-winner of the Babe Ruth Award for his role in leading the Washington Nationals to the 2019 World Series, has now played a key role in winning a pennant for the second time in his career.
Michael Baumann @MichaelBaumann
Juan Soto’s been to the playoffs three times in his career, and in those trips he’s taken the Nationals further than they’ve ever gone, the Padres further than they’d been in 24 years, and (barring a historic comeback) the Yankees further than they’ve been in 15 years https://t.co/kI3WywG6sb
Michael Kasdan @michaelkasdan
Juan Soto is simply the best hitter I’ve ever seen. The combination of batting eye, all fields power, and clutch. Unreal. #RepBX
Luke Weaver closed out the victory after Soto’s home run by retiring three straight Guardians batters in the bottom of the 10th. Soto then caught the final fly out to secure the AL pennant for the Yankees.
Trouble started for the Guardians in the top of the 10th when shortstop Brayan Rocchio bobbled a potential out at second, allowing the Yankees to get a runner in scoring position.
The Guardians looked like they would have a chance to extend the championship series to six games early on Saturday night. Bo Naylor got the home team on the board first with an RBI double in the bottom of the second, and Steve Kwan doubled the lead with a scoring single in the fifth.
Then Giancarlo Stanton answered for the Yankees with a game-tying two-RBI home run in the sixth.
Stanton, who finished the series with four home runs and seven RBI, was named the ALCS MVP after the Game 5 win.
John @92In82
If they win the whole thing, this will be a legacy run for Giancarlo Stanton. #RepBX
The Yankees are now headed to the World Series for the first time in 15 years, while Cleveland’s title drought will extend to a 76th year.
The Pinstripes will be playing either the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets as they battle for the 28th World Series title in franchise history. The Dodgers could secure a ticket to face them with a win at home on Sunday night, while a Mets victory would send the NLCS to a winner-takes-all Game 7.
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