ANAHEIM -- The Astros signed Jason Heyward late last month, hoping he could contribute down the stretch occasionally with his bat. They already knew what the veteran outfielder provides in the clubhouse, which is the epitome of professionalism on a team with tremendously high standards.

Heyward already has had a positive impact in the Astros¡¯ clubhouse, the kind of space that welcomes players with a commitment to winning. And he came through with the bat on Sunday afternoon in the Astros¡¯ 6-4 victory over the Angels at Angel Stadium, going 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base to spearhead Houston¡¯s fourth consecutive win.

¡°This is a good group of guys,¡± Heyward said. ¡°They clown with each other but also enjoy getting ready for battle. We've got guys grinding with injuries right now, and that¡¯s a part of the game. I just want to be right there in the middle of that and knowing anything you can do on any night can help the team win.¡±

Heyward, who signed with the Astros on Aug. 29 after the Dodgers released him, got the Astros going Sunday with a leadoff homer in the third inning off 20-year-old Angels starter Caden Dana. It traveled a Statcast-projected 410 feet to right-center field.

¡°To be honest, I feel like a lot of pitchers would attempt to throw a fastball down and in to me there, hoping to get me to swing on top of it, roll over it,¡± Heyward said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say it was the best pitch in the world [to hit], but I feel like a lot of pitchers are trying to throw me down and in at times. It was a good swing.¡±

Heyward wasn¡¯t done. He singled and scored in the fourth inning and singled and stole a base in the sixth. In 14 games with the Astros, Heyward has a slash line of .269/.321/.538, plus two homers and six RBIs.

¡°This guy, his presence is felt in [the clubhouse],¡± Astros manager Joe Espada said. ¡°He¡¯s a winner. Guys seek his opinion. He¡¯s vocal. He tells you what he thinks and how he can help you. ¡­

¡°On the field, he¡¯s been pretty good. He¡¯s gotten some big swings for us, big homers. His defense is good, he stole a base, he runs the bases hard. I¡¯m really glad that he¡¯s on our side. His reputation, I can see why it follows him around everywhere he goes. He¡¯s a true pro.¡±

Heyward slashed .208/.289/.393 and had six homers and 28 RBIs in 63 games with the Dodgers while dealing with some injuries. A five-time Gold Glove winner and 2010 All-Star, he has been used largely in a backup role for the Astros.

Coming to the ballpark not knowing what role he might play brings satisfaction for the 35-year-old, who helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 and famously gave a speech to the team during a rain delay in Game 7 to help it end its 108-year championship drought.

¡°I could be called upon when someone goes down or gets hurt, be called upon [to play] a little bit before the game depending on how other guys are feeling,¡± Heyward said. ¡°Guys have been banged up and playing hard and playing their [tails] off.

¡°It¡¯s a challenge not knowing what it¡¯s going to look like each day, especially if I don¡¯t start. But at the same time, I do my best to find peace in it and I enjoy the company of the guys and I enjoy getting up for the guys and cutting up and having fun with them.¡±

The Astros¡¯ sweep of the Angels kept them 4 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Mariners in the American League West. They are 81-68 and closing in on their seventh division title in eight seasons. They figure to be primed for another October run.

And there¡¯s no place Heyward would rather be.

¡°I¡¯m not taking it for granted,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s special to be part of this, and I¡¯m doing my best to not think too much about anything else and be ready when I can to give my best. It¡¯s nice to step into a clubhouse that knows and appreciates that someone like myself wants to do my best.¡±