CLEVELAND — As Juan Soto’s go-ahead homer sailed over the center-field wall at Progressive Field in the top of the 10th inning of Game 5 of the ALCS on Saturday night, the Yankee dugout predictably erupted, as it put them on the precipice of the World Series.
One player, though, didn’t celebrate.
Luke Weaver, looking to redeem himself after blowing a save in Game 3 against the Guardians, stayed quiet, even as Soto rounded the bases.
The closer, in the dugout with two outs, was preparing to go out for the bottom of the inning of what would have still been a tie game if Soto didn’t deliver, and now had to protect a lead.
“It looked a little high for my taste, but it sounded loud, so I figured there was a chance,” Weaver said of Soto’s homer. “Once it went out, there was no reaction out of me because I was in complete lock-in mode. I knew I couldn’t exert energy there because I didn’t want to go out there without enough energy to help us win the game.”
Weaver had already pitched a perfect ninth, as he retired the bottom of Cleveland’s order and was then entrusted with the 10th.
And thanks to Soto’s heroics, Weaver was trying to get the Yankees through the ALCS by finishing the game.
“I didn’t bat an eye,’’ Weaver said. “I was so calm and comfortable and ready to go. I was determined. I wish I could have celebrated, but I did afterwards.”
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This time, Weaver had to deal with the top of the Guardians lineup and he got Steven Kwan to ground out. After a single by Kyle Manzardo, Jose Ramirez drove a fly ball to deep center for the second out and Weaver ended it by getting Lane Thomas to fly out to right, where Soto caught the ball for the final out.
The outing came two days after Weaver had a chance to close Game 3, but instead allowed a two-out double to Thomas before Jhonkensy Noel hit one deep into the night and into the left field seats to erase a two-run lead in a game that ended with Clay Holmes giving up a walk-off homer to David Fry in the 10th.
“I wanted some redemption, for sure,’’ Weaver said of his Game 5 outing. “I wanted to be able to go out there and close it out… After a tough night [Thursday], I wanted to make sure it was a done deal.”
His two-inning scoreless performance was Weaver’s longest of the postseason and the fifth time he pitched more than one inning.
He emerged late in the season as the Yankees’ closer and after picking up the first four saves of his career in September, Weaver has four more this postseason, as well as a win in Game 5.
Asked if he’d be able to get a few more saves in the World Series, which starts Friday, Weaver said, “I’ll get a few days rest here and be ready to go.”
