The Astros shut out the Seattle Mariners 3-0 and moved into a tie for first in the American League West division.

SEATTLE (AP) — It took the Houston Astros just one month to erase a 10-game deficit and reclaim their place atop the AL West.

Houston Astros 3, Seattle Mariners 0: Game Sheet

Hunter Brown got around the problems by allowing four hits in six innings, Yainer Diaz delivered the blow with a two-run single and the Astros moved into a tie for first in the AL West with a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

“We went through a really tough stretch early in the season and we’re tied for first place. We’re proud of this group,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “They never stopped fighting. They never stopped believing. And it’s not over yet, but just to be in this position is a great feeling.”

The Astros (51-46) were 10 games behind Seattle and seven games below .500 on June 18 but have surged forward over the last 24 games. Houston improved to 18-6 over the last 31 days and used a big inning against Seattle starter Luis Castillo to complete that climb.

Since holding that 10-game lead, the Mariners (52-47) have stumbled to an 8-16 mark, including a lifeless effort against their division rival coming out of the All-Star break that led to boos from the home fans after the final outing.

Seattle’s offense remained the problem. Brown (8-6) struggled through the first two innings but managed to find key pitches when needed. He got Cal Raleigh to walk with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning and induced a double play by Josh Rojas to end the fifth after the first two batters got together.

The Mariners have lost four straight games and have scored three or fewer runs for the 15th time in the last 24 games.

“Our group understands where we’re at. The offense has been a tough fight for us, we’ve tried different things to get it unlocked and moving. That’s not possible right now,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said.

Brown worked hard throughout the sixth inning, allowing three walks and striking out five. Bryan Abreu and Ryan Pressly were perfect in the seventh and eighth innings, and Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 19th save.

“Coming out of the break, you want to start strong and keeping their offense to zero points is definitely a good way to do that,” Brown said.

Houston’s lone big inning against Castillo (8-10) started when Trey Cabbage doubled, then scored when Jose Altuve reached on a bunt single and a wild pitch by Rojas eluded first baseman Ty France. Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch and Yordan Alvarez walked on four pitches to load the bases with no outs.

As Castillo struggled to find his control, Diaz jumped on the first pitch, hitting a single to score Altuve and Bregman.

The third inning was the only one where Castillo encountered major problems. He pitched seven innings, allowed six hits and struck out three, but lost for the first time since June 25.

LIST MOVEMENT

Seattle reassigned left-handed pitcher Gabe Speier from the 15-day disabled list and designated right-handed pitcher Mike Baumann for assignment. Speier has been out since June 1 with a rotator cuff injury, taking away a key reliever from Seattle’s bullpen. Baumann was acquired from Baltimore in late May and went 2-0 with a 5.51 ERA in 18 appearances for the Mariners.

FOLLOWING

Astros: Left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez (8-5, 3.66 ERA) will try to win his third straight decision. Valdez had a season-high 10 strikeouts in his last start.

Mariners: Right-handed pitcher George Kirby (7-7, 3.29 ERA) has allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine straight starts.

More information about the Seattle Mariners

• Key Seattle Mariners reliever returns, recent addition pulled from player market
• Servais explains Mariners’ rotation strategy for series against Astros
• ESPN’s Passan: One-hitter is most logical fit for trade with Mariners
• Video: Mariners Analysis – What will the second half look like?
• In some ways, the Seattle Mariners are in better shape for the second half