Why a Yankee had no reaction to Juan Soto's monumental home run

CLEVELAND – As Juan Soto's go-ahead home run sailed over the center field wall at Progressive Field in the start of the 10th inning of Game 5 of the ALCS on Saturday night, the Yankee dugout predictably exploded, dooming them to the World Series.

However, one player didn't celebrate.

Luke Weaver, looking to redeem himself after a blown save in Game 3 against the Guardians, remained silent even as Soto rounded the bases.

The closer, in the dugout with two outs, prepared to walk out in the bottom of the inning, which would still have been a tie had Soto not delivered, and now had a lead to defend.

“It looked a little high for my taste, but it sounded loud, so I figured there was a chance,” Weaver said of Soto’s home run. “When it went off, I became unresponsive because I was completely in lock-in mode. I knew I couldn’t muster any energy there because I didn’t want to go out there without having enough energy to help us win the game.”

Weaver had already posted a perfect ninth place finish when he retired last from Cleveland's position and was then entrusted with tenth place.

And thanks to Soto's heroics, Weaver tried to get the Yankees through the ALCS by closing out the game.

“I didn’t sleep a wink,” Weaver said. “I was so calm and relaxed and ready to go. I was determined. I wish I could have celebrated, but after that I did.”

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This time, Weaver had to deal with the top of the Guardians lineup and managed to take out Steven Kwan. After a single by Kyle Manzardo, Jose Ramirez drove a fly ball to deep center for the second out and Weaver finished it off by sending Lane Thomas flying to right, where Soto caught the ball for the final out.

The outing came two days after Weaver had a chance to end Game 3 but instead allowed a two-out double to Thomas before Jhonkensy Noel singled a hit into the left field seats deep in the night for a two-run Erasing a one-game lead That ended with Clay Holmes giving up a walk-off home run to David Fry in the 10th.

“I definitely wanted some redemption,” Weaver said of his performance in Game 5. “I wanted to be able to go out there and finish it…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 was the Yankees' closer late in the season, and after recording the first four saves of his career in September, Weaver has four more saves this postseason along with a Game 5 win.

Asked if he would be able to make a few more saves in the World Series, which begins Friday, Weaver said: “I'll rest here for a few days and be ready to go.”