Soto, Stanton lead New York Yankees past Cleveland Giants to first World Series berth since 2009 | CNN

The New York Yankees are tied for the World Series for the first time since 2009 after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 5-2 in extra innings of Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday.

A dramatic game-tying home run from Giancarlo Stanton in the sixth inning and Juan Soto's three-run blast in the 10th inning returned the Yankees to the Fall Classic.

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

Soto, who delivered the decisive blow, called the opportunity to send his team to the World Series “the best feeling you've ever had.”

“This is what we play for, since day one we've been here, we've grinded every day, we're here and we've done it,” Soto said after the game. “We have all the talent we need to go all the way. We're feeling really good right now.”

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

With Cleveland leading 2-0 early in Game 5, Guardians starter Tanner BB kept the Yankees offense at bay. Bibb managed a shutout through 5 2/3 innings, striking out 12 of 13 batters entering the sixth inning.

However, fatigue began to set in as he faced the heart of the Yankees order, allowing Gleyber to hit back-to-back singles to Torres and Soto.

After Aaron Judge grounded into a double play, the Yankees' rally seemed to fizzle out.

But, Giancarlo Stanton had other plans. Down to his last strike, with two outs, Stanton crushed a 446-foot moonshot to left-center field, his 16th career home run to tie the game 2-2.

Stanton's blast, 117.5 mph off the bat, moved him past Babe Ruth and Judge for the fourth-most postseason homers in franchise history. His four home runs in the ALCS earned him Series MVP honors.

In the 10th inning, catcher Austin Wells got the Yankees' offense going, drawing a full-count walk from Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis. Moments later, Alex Verdugo came to bat and hit into a double play, but shortstop Brian Roccio ruled it out, allowing both runners to be safe.

Following a Gleyber Torres strikeout, the big offseason acquisition came in 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 battled through a seven-pitch at-bat before mashing a three-run home run to seal the victory for the Yankees. The superstar outfielder celebrated at first base, pounding his chest as he looked toward his team's dugout before scoring.

“Just an at-bat for the ages,” Boone said of Soto's shot. “It's not surprising that he does it. It's that he likes that. He is very good at seizing the moment.”

Soto's blast was the first postseason series-clinching home run in extra innings since Boone's iconic homer in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees closer Luke Weaver, who blew the save in Game 3, redeemed himself by pitching two innings while facing four batters in the bottom of the frame to shut the door on the Guardians' comeback hopes.

“Of course we are suffering. What a game to end it. This group of boys has worked extremely hard since day one. We believed, and we still believe, that we can be better. We can be more,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said after the game.

“But I couldn't be more proud of what this team has accomplished. Only one team can win the last game of the year, and unfortunately it's not going to be us.”

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