Right-handers Jordan Lyles and Kyle Gibson have both struggled this season after signing long-term contracts with the Rangers last winter.

Texas needs much better from them in 2021 -- everybody realizes that -- and back-to-back starts at Minute Maid Park have given a glimmer of hope that both have a chance to finish the season moving in a positive direction.

Both have two starts left before they can claim that, but Lyles followed Gibson¡¯s shutout by holding the Astros to two runs over seven innings Thursday. However, the Rangers' offense finished up a tough three days in Houston by scoring just one run for the third straight night in a 2-1 loss.

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Manager Chris Woodward said Lyles came within one weak home run of his own 1-0 win over the Astros. Kyle Tucker¡¯s two-run home run in the second accounted for the only runs off Lyles.

¡°I thought Jordan threw the ball well the last five innings of his last outing,¡± Woodward said. ¡°The intent, the mentality, the effort behind it, everything seemed to be better, and he started it from the first inning today. He was in complete control.¡±

Lyles was 0-3 with an 8.62 ERA over his previous six outings before allowing three hits and a walk in the series finale.

¡°We were able to locate down and away much better today,¡± Lyles said. ¡°I had a little better conviction on that pitch. Their swings were telling a lot about their approach. They were trying to get something in the zone early and get after it. I felt we were around the corners better today than previously this season, for sure.¡±

Lyles walked Alex Bregman to start the second. Tucker worked the count full, fouled off a slider and then lifted a fastball over the right-field fence. The ball wasn¡¯t exactly crushed. The exit velocity was 92.8 mph, the projected distance was 364 feet and the expected batting average on that type of ball was a measly .100, according to Statcast.

¡°A home run that went two rows deep,¡± Woodward said. ¡°If it was 10 feet to the right, left, we win 1-0, maybe. It¡¯s a little frustrating because Jordan threw the ball well. I was hoping our offense would get something going at the end and just couldn¡¯t do it.¡±

Lyles is now 1-5 with a 7.07 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP in seven starts and three relief appearances on the season. Over the past four outings, he has a 4.97 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Opponents are hitting .206 off him in those four games. They hit .327 against him through his first six outings, during which he had a 9.25 ERA.

¡°This season is what it is,¡± Lyles said. ¡°I had a rough start from the get-go. I think my last two outings have been decent, getting outs and making a pitch here and there ... a good move forward. Tonight we were able to get some quick outs. I don¡¯t know how many more outings I¡¯ve got, but hopefully we can attack -- only had one free base tonight -- continue that and go into this offseason with my chin high.¡±

The Rangers ended up losing two of three to the Astros. They failed to hit a home run in any of the games, the first time in history Texas has done that in a series of any length at Minute Maid Park.