The Houston Astros advanced to the American League Championship Series on Saturday, completing a 3-0 sweep of the Seattle Mariners. To do that, Houston had to win a pitcher’s duel. In fact, the Astros essentially had to win two pitcher’s duels.
For the fourth time in the history of the postseason, a game went 18 innings. But unlike those other three games, this game was scoreless for the first 17 innings. But just like Game 4 of the 2005 NLDS between the Astros and Atlanta Braves, Game 2 of the 2014 NLDS and Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, the 18th-inning tie was broken with a home run. On Saturday night, it was Houston shortstop Jeremy Peña, who led the 18th inning off with a home run.
In the 18th inning, Houston's Jeremy Peña breaks a scoreless tie with a home run. pic.twitter.com/GkwjbW4hm9
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 16, 2022
That was all the run support the Astros needed. Houston’s Luis García retired Seattle in order in the bottom of the 18th inning, getting Julio Rodríguez for the final out of the game and series.
Luis García retires Julio Rodríguez to seal the 1-0 win in Game 3, sending the Astros to the ALCS. Garcia pitched five shutout innings out of the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/fvpHQit1kt
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 16, 2022
The baseball world had a lot to say about the marathon game in Seattle.
In best-of-five, Astros sweep Mariners in four
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) October 16, 2022
So basically the Astros swept a best-of-five series by winning Game 4. #MLBPostseason
— Josh Douglas (@JoshuaADouglas) October 16, 2022
It's a final in Seattle. Astros win it 1-0 on a Jeremy Pena solo homer in the *18th*.
Mariners' return to the postseason ends in an ALDS sweep.
This box is an all-timer. 123 AB, 498 pitches, 18 pitchers, 42 K, total of 48 AB LOB / 24 overall LOB, RISP: 0-19 … *1* run scored pic.twitter.com/tYP9ZIUoBC
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) October 16, 2022
FINAL in 18: Astros 1, Mariners 0
Jeremy Peña's solo home run to lead off the top of the 18th sends Houston to its sixth straight ALCS.
Seattle's first home playoff game in 21 years goes as long as any in postseason history. Amazing atmosphere. Wonderful season. Tough ending.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 16, 2022
Things you could’ve done in the time it took the Astros/Mariners game to finish:
1. Watch Batman Begins
2. Watch The Dark Knight
3. Watch the first 1:17 of The Dark Knight Rises— Ryan Herrera (@ryan_a_herrera) October 16, 2022
While the Astros swept the series, it was anything but easy. Houston overcame a poor outing by Justin Verlander in Game 1 when Yordan Álvarez belted a walk-off three-run home run. Álvarez played the hero again in Game 2, leading the Astros to another come-from-behind win with a home run.
Houston will have some time to rest up. The ALCS will not begin until Wednesday, Oct. 19. The Astros will have home field advantage.
