Astros advance to sixth straight ALCS after 18-inning instant classic

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The Seattle Mariners waited 21 years to host a postseason game, so they sure made up for lost time.

But the instant classic did not fare in their favor as the Houston Astros advanced to their sixth straight American League Championship Series with their 1-0, 18-inning win, sweeping the Mariners in the best-of-five series.

There were just seven baserunners from the 10th to the 17th innings, but in the 18th, Jeremy Pena had had enough. He finally turned the scoreboard on with a leadoff homer, and that was all that was necessary.

Yuli Gurriel led off the ninth inning with a single off Diego Castillo, his third hit of the day. He then plunked his next batter in Aledmys Diaz, and a sac bunt put them both into scoring position. Scott Servais then brought in Matt Brash, and it worked perfectly. Brash struck out Christian Vazquez and the dangerous Jose Altuve to get out of the jam.

Jeremy Pena #3 of the Houston Astros reacts with Alex Bregman #2 after hitting a solo home run during the eighteenth  inning against the Seattle Mariners in game three of the American League Division Series at T-Mobile Park on October 15, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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The Astros brought in closer Ryan Pressly in the bottom of the ninth, but he put runners on first and second with one out. However, he struck out Carlos Santana and got Adam Frazier to fly out to send the game to extras, still scoreless.

There was little action in the next eight - yes, eight, innings. In fact, there were just four baserunners from the 10th to the 15th. 

The Mariners did put the winning run on base in the 12th,