A brilliant Garcia in relief also elevated the Astros to ALCS

SEATTLE — Describing his bullpen’s performance in Game 3 of the ALCS, Astros manager Dusty Baker recalled the 2000 NLDS, when he was in charge of the Giants against the Mets.

On that day, the foreman said, the San Francisco club eventually ran out of pitching in the 13-inning game, which ended with a walk-off home run by New York.

“It feels terrible to be without pitching,” Baker said.

On Saturday, Baker didn’t have to worry about running out of pitching thanks to Venezuelan starter Luis Garcia, who pitched the last five innings in relief in Houston’s marathon 18-inning victory over Seattle to advance to the American League Championship Series for the sixth consecutive year.

Garcia gave up just two hits and struck out six, the equivalent of a normal start for the right-hander.

“I was trying to go one pitch at a time, one out at a time, and I’m really glad I did the job the team needed,” Garcia said. “I am very proud of the great work of the guys in the bullpen. And I think I’m also there to help them. That was precisely what he wanted to do. Also [el mexicano] Jose Urquidy. He will also do the same when he gets the chance. So we all wanted to contribute and try to help the team win.”

With the Astros and Mariners in a tight 0-0 matchup, Garcia entered the 14th inning after not making any appearances in relief the entire regular season. His last outing was Oct. 2 against the Rays.

Garcia’s presence in the bullpen underscores the advantage Houston’s squad has in this postseason. When the team’s rotation had all the pieces on him, the 25-year-old right-hander completed the back of a group of seven starters.

“What Luis did at the end was one of the best pitching performances I’ve seen in the playoffs,” added ace Justin Verlander.

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A brilliant Garcia in relief also elevated the Astros to ALCS