Yankees top Guardians to win AL pennant as Soto delivers - ESPN

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

Baseball's biggest brand is going back to October's main stage.

Soto, who was acquired in a seven-player trade with San Diego in December, moved the Bronx Bombers into position with one big swing against Hunter Gaddis.

«I was all over it, I was all over it,» Soto told TBS of the decisive at-bat. «That was the only thing I was thinking. I was just saying to myself, 'You're all over that guy. You're all over that guy.'… I just had to make good contact, and I did.»

It was the second extra-inning home run in a potential series-clinching game in Yankees postseason history. The other was by Aaron Boone, the team's current manager, in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.

The Yankees will try to win their 28th title against either the New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 6 of the National League Championship Series is on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

«We're right where we belong,» said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who pulled off the deal for Soto.

In the 10th, Austin Wells walked with one out and Alex Verdugo followed with a grounder to second baseman Andres Gimenez, whose soft toss to the bag was dropped by rookie shortstop Brayan Rocchio for an error.

Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres and had Soto in a 1-2 count before New York's stylish outfielder sent a shot over the wall in center. Soto danced down the first-base line and paused to celebrate with his teammates before circling the bases.

Soto is eligible for free agency this