The Astros started last week on a sour note, losing three of four games in Kansas City.

The Royals outscored the Astros 16-15 in this series due to Houston's unfamiliarity with Kansas City's pitching staff. With the exception of Mike Minor, Houston was facing the Royals' rotation for the first time. Needless to say, the Astros were happy to leave the City of Fountains and return home to face the Mariners.

Offensive woes didn't seem to be an issue when Seattle came to town, as the Astros outscored their division foe 30-10 over the weekend.

Three Astros' players in particular shined bright during this offensive showcase in Houston.

1). Taylor Jones had his best performance of the season Saturday night against the Mariners.

He recorded three hits and a career-high 4 RBI to help the Astros crush Seattle 15-1. Jones was a last minute replacement for Chas McCormick when he was scratched from the lineup with a sore left hand. He played in left field and had a great throw to get Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager out at home plate.

This last minute addition to the lineup proved to be a great one, as Jones was just one of a few Astros players to have a breakout series and boast season high numbers at the plate.

2). Jose Altuve feasted on some Seattle pitching. The All-Star second basemen had a season-best four hits against the Mariners on Saturday, then followed up with a three-hit performance on Sunday.

Altuve increased his batting average from .272 to .280 over the weekend and looks to be heating up at the right time as the playoffs inch closer and closer.

3). Yordan Alvarez continued his hot hitting as he drove in eight RBI and hit three home runs over the weekend. This was the first time in the young slugger's career in which he hit homers in three consecutive days.

Alvarez's home run on Sunday was his 25th of the season, tying him with Altuve for the team lead in homers.

Even though Houston lost the final game against Seattle on Sunday, they still won the series and gained one game on the Oakland A's. As it currently stands, the Astros lead the A's by 3.5 games in the American League West standings.

Injury Update: Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy is scheduled to pitch the first of two games of a rehab assignment for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday. If this goes well, the starting pitcher could be back as early as September 1st.

Chas McCormick has sore hand and his injury looks to be day-to-day as it doesn't appear he will have to go on the injured list.

Alex Bregman went 3-8 with four RBI in the two games he played with the Skeeters. The third baseman has made some good progress and looks to be on his way back to the club sooner rather than later. He took some batting practice with the Astros on Saturday and seems to be champing at the bit to return to his team.

Kyle Tucker looks to come back some time this next series off of the COVID-19 injured list. If not this series, he should return in time for this weekend's series in Arlington against the Texas Rangers.

Up Next: The Kansas City Royals start another series with the Astros for the final time this season. The first matchup will showcase Zack Greinke vs Daniel Lynch Monday night at 7:10 CDT.