CNN
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The New York Yankees are headed to the World Series for the first time since 2009 after beating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in overtime of Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday.

A dramatic game-tying home run from Giancarlo Stanton in the sixth inning and a three-run lead from Juan Soto in the 10th inning sent the Yankees back into the Fall Classic.

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

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

“That’s what we play for, that’s what we came for from day one. We worked hard every day, we’re here and we achieved it,” Soto said after the game. “We have all the talent we need to push ourselves to the limit. We feel very good at the moment.”

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

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

However, the fatigue started to show when he faced the heart of the Yankees order, as Gleyber Torres and Soto hit back-to-back singles.

After Aaron Judge grounded into a double play, the Yankees’ rally appeared to have fizzled out.

But Giancarlo Stanton had other plans. Down to his final strike, with two outs, Stanton crushed a 450-foot moonshot to center field, tying the game at 2–2 with his 16th career postseason home run.

Stanton’s blast, clocked at 117.5 mph from the start, moved him past Babe Ruth and Judge for the fourth-most postseason home runs in franchise history. His four home runs in the ALCS earned him MVP honors.

In the 10th inning, catcher Austin Wells sparked the Yankees offense and drew a full walk on Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis. Moments later, Alex Verdugo came to bat and grounded into a double play, but shortstop Brayan Rocchio dropped the ball, making both runners safe.

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

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

Yankees closer Luke Weaver, who blew the save in Game 3, redeemed himself by facing four batters, slamming the door on the Guardians’ hopes for a comeback.

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