BREAKING: Astros want to maintain rise at the expense of the struggling Mariners

The Houston Astros have resumed their usual position atop the American League West. If only by the thinnest of margins. The Astros returned from the All-Star break with a 3-0 win over Seattle on Friday. The teams are tied in the games-back category in the standings, but Houston has moved one percentage point ahead of the Mariners. The Astros are 51-46 (.526) and Seattle is 52-47 (.525) heading into Saturday night’s middle game of the series.

“It was a very important win, and I just want to start by saying how proud I am of this group,” said Astros manager Joe Espada, whose team was 10 games out of first place on June 18 before embarking on an 18-6 run.

“We clawed our way through a difficult stretch early in the season and are now tied for first place.” Simply proud of this group. They never ceased battling. They never ceased believing. “This is far from over.” Hunter Brown of Houston pitched six scoreless innings in the series opener, followed by flawless innings from Bryan Abreu, Ryan Pressly, and Josh Hader in relief. The Astros scored all of their runs in the top of the third, with Yainer Diaz hitting a two-RBI single. “Coming off the break, you want to start off hot,” he added, “and keeping their offense to zero runs is definitely a good way to do that.”

The offensively challenged Mariners have dropped four straight games and 16 of their last 24 to see their double-digit lead evaporate. They’ve scored three or fewer runs in 15 of those games and had only four hits Friday, none after Victor Robles’ bunt single in the fifth inning, as their season average maintained an MLB-low.218. “Our group understands where we’re at,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Offense has been a challenge for us, and we’ve tried many approaches to unlock it and get it moving. “Just not happening right now.” The Astros’ left-hander Framber Valdez (8-5, 3.66 ERA), who has won his last three decisions, will face Seattle right-hander George Kirby (7-7, 3.29).

Valdez is 5-3 with a 3.49 ERA in 14 career appearances versus Seattle, including 12 starts. But two of those losses have occurred this season. In a 5-0 loss to Seattle on May 4, Valdez allowed five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. In a 3-2 loss to Houston on May 27, he gave three runs in six innings.

Kirby is 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his previous five starts versus the Astros, including two no-decisions this year. Kirby allowed one run in six innings against Houston on May 3, but the bullpen gave up four runs in the seventh, resulting in a 5-3 loss. On May 29, he surrendered one run in six innings at home against the Mariners, who won 2-1 in 10 innings.