Juan Soto’s home run in the 10th inning sends the New York Yankees to the World Series

Juan Soto hit a three-run homer with two outs in the tenth 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. Saturday night in Cleveland.

Baseball’s biggest brand returns to the big stage this October.

Soto, acquired in a seven-player trade with the San Diego Padres in December, eliminated the Bronx Bombers with one big swing.

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

In the 10th, Austin Wells walked with one out and Alex Verdugo followed by grounding out to second baseman Andres Gimenez, who dropped rookie shortstop Bryan Rocchio on an error.

Gaddis struck out Gleyber Torres and Soto made it 1-2 before the New York center fielder fired a shot over the wall in center. Soto danced down the first base line and paused to cheer with his teammates before circling the bases.

“I was just saying to myself, “You’re done with that boy. You’re done with that boy. He’s got nothing,” said Soto.

Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer for the Yankees, who took care of the Guardians in five games, but it wasn’t easy.

New York won the first of two at Yankee Stadium without much fanfare or much drama. However, it was a different story in Cleveland as all three games at Progressive Field were tight ends.

The Guardians rallied to win Game 3 with two, two-run homers in their final two at-bats, and the Yankees held on to win Game 4 after blowing a four-run lead.

Cleveland didn’t have enough and a surprising season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt ended just short of the World Series. The franchise remains without a title since 1948, baseball’s longest current drought.