The Houston Astros got some much-needed offense on Wednesday in a 7-2 defeat of the Texas Rangers. One day after producing only one run in a loss on Tuesday to the Rangers, Houston used back-to-back home runs by outfielder Jake Meyers and infielder Marwin Gonzalez in the second inning to get on the board first and that lead would never be relinquished as starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (7-3) pitched six innings and only allowed one run.

It was a very impressive outing by Urquidy who missed significant time with this season with right shoulder discomfort after being removed from a game against the Baltimore Orioles in late June after pitching less than two innings. The six innings pitched on Wednesday was the longest outing he has had since returning to the Astros earlier this month.

“I was impressed by the fact that he went six innings,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “He maintained his velocity throughout the whole game, the last time out his velocity dropped in like the third or fourth inning. It shows that his arm strength’s coming back. He had very good changeup, his slider was good and just an overall good performance. But I was more impressed with the fact that he kept his velocity.”

Wednesday’s game was a rest day for a couple of Astros superstars in third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Carlos Correa whose bats have been very good in the Astros lineup lately. With that type of offensive fire power on the bench, most wondered if Houston would experience a scoring drought like they did in the previous game.

All that doubt was put to rest as one player that has been very consistent for Houston this season was still in the lineup. Right fielder Kyle Tucker made the game miserable for Rangers pitchers as he went 3-for-4 at the plate including a 399-foot home run in the top of the eighth inning off Texas reliever Dane Dunning. Add that to his single and double he had in the game, and you can see why Dusty Baker was not worried about the lineup.

Since his return from the IL late in August, Tucker has hit .420 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 20 games played.

“I’m a believer that in baseball, hitting can be contagious, especially on our team, guys can get hot at any moment and that’s kind of what makes our lineup special,” Jake Meyers said during his postgame press conference.