After 18 long innings, and nearly 6 1/2 hours later, the Houston Astros swept the Seattle Mariners with a 1-0 victory Saturday evening.
Rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena scored the winning home run that ended Seattle’s path to the ALCS.
“These guys, they know not to panic,” Houston manager Dusty Baker told The Associated Press. “They don’t get too excited. They don’t get too down. It means a lot.”
Peña drove a slider from Mariners’ Penn Murfee deep to left-center for the rookie’s first playoff homer, providing the only run in an afternoon full of dominant pitching and empty trips to the plate.
See the gallery below:
Houston Astros catcher Christian Vazquez, left, celebrates with Houston Astros pitcher Luis Garcia after defeating the Seattle Mariners in the 18th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) breaks his bat during an out against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena celebrates after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the 18th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (3) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the 18th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena (3) celebrates a home run against the Seattle Mariners with Alex Bregman (2) during the 18th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena (3) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the 18th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr., center, celebrates with pitcher Hector Neris, left, and pitcher Cristian Javier, right, after defeating the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr., center, celebrates with pitcher Hector Neris, left, and pitcher Cristian Javier, right, after defeating the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
CORRECTS TO JEREMY PENA, INSTEAD OF LANCE MCCULLERS JR. - Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena celebrates after the team defeated the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of a baseball AL Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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