HOUSTON -- The Astros scored four runs in the eighth inning, including a bases-loaded walk with two outs by Zach Dezenzo and a two-run single by Mauricio Dubón, to come from behind and beat the Royals, 6-3, in Thursday’s series opener at Minute Maid Park.

Houston moved four games ahead of Seattle, which was off Thursday, for first place in the American League West standings with 28 games remaining.

The Astros trailed, 3-2, heading to the eighth and tied the game when Yainer Diaz hit a grounder off the hand of pitcher Lucas Erceg, who kicked it away from him to allow Jose Altuve to score the tying run from second. Erceg and Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino were both injured on the play and left the game.

The Royals intentionally walked Ben Gamel to load the bases for Jeremy Peña, who hit into a fielder’s choice with an out at the plate. Dezenzo drew a walk to score Diaz with the go-ahead run, and Dubón followed with a two-run single to left field to score a pair and make it 6-3.

Astros starter Hunter Brown carried a shutout into the seventh inning, but was pulled with two outs and two runners on base. Kyle Isbel’s three-run bloop double off reliever Bryan Abreu put the Royals ahead, 3-2, but the two runs charged to Brown were unearned because of an error by Peña at shortstop. Brown went 6 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run.