HOUSTON -- The White Sox are in first place in the American League Central.

That fact still holds true following an 8-2 loss to the Astros on Sunday afternoon, completing a four-game weekend sweep for Houston at Minute Maid Park.

There’s certainly no satisfaction gained from their first four-game losing streak of the season, being outscored 27-8 in the series. But there also isn’t a sense of dread brought about by this forgettable series.

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“This is a bonus weekend, more than anything,” said White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel, who fell to 6-2 overall in Sunday’s setback. “I mean, if we played well, that’s just a bonus. When you go on the road, you aren’t expecting to sweep the series.

“You’re expecting to be in each and every game but at the same time, you go 2-2 and that’s almost a victory in itself. We didn’t get out of here with any victories, and we are going to look forward to this off-day tomorrow and hope to pick it back up versus Pittsburgh. By no means is our season lost at this point.”

Keuchel’s return to Houston did not go as planned on an individual level as well.

Houston’s reception certainly was overwhelmingly positive for the veteran southpaw who won the American League Cy Young Award with the Astros in 2015 and helped the team claim the 2017 World Series title. He received a tribute video during the first of this four-game set Thursday and then received a standing ovation from the crowd on Sunday as he departed the field.

Here’s the only problem: Keuchel departed during a five-run third inning after throwing 41 pitches in the frame.

“Yeah, it was weird. It was weird. I figured it would be such a way,” Keuchel said. “It was a step back, but at the same time, I feel good [about] where I’m at and would have liked to stop the bleeding a little bit. Instead, I just kind of kept it going. Really, really looking forward to this off-day and getting back to my form”

During that five-run third, the White Sox (43-29) botched a rundown involving Carlos Correa between first and second base after Correa’s single to center sent Michael Brantley to third. The rundown should have resulted in the second out of the inning, but shortstop Tim Anderson dropped a throw from José Abreu, and the Astros (43-28) didn’t hesitate to take advantage.

Keuchel finished with six runs allowed (three earned) on seven hits over 2 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking four. That walk total included a free pass to Jose Altuve with the bases loaded in the third to force home a run, followed by reliever Matt Foster doing the same against Chas McCormick to force home another.

Even in the setback, though, Keuchel was extremely grateful to the Houston fans for their recognition of his seven years of excellence with the organization.

“That’s another thing that I’ll keep with me, probably [for] the rest of my life,” said Keuchel of the third-inning ovation. “Obviously, I did not want it to be the third inning where I got any sort of ovation -- that was not my intention whatsoever. I did not expect anything like that. That was really nice. This is a great sports town, a great sports venue. There was almost 40,000 people here today and fortunately for them, they got to see a win.

“But it’s kind of a bittersweet ending to my outing. I’ve always loved the fans. I felt like they really connected well with me. I can’t say enough about these fans and how awesome they are and how much they appreciate hard work and dedication.”

Sunday’s loss dropped the White Sox lead in the American League Central to 2 1/ 2 games over the Indians, but it still is a lead. White Sox manager Tony La Russa quipped postgame it was tough for him to sit down, because he got his butt kicked for four days, but they will review what transpired and move forward without trepidation.

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“Played four games, saw some pitching we hadn’t seen. Learn from what we’ve seen,” La Russa said. “Recognize where we could have been better, hold ourselves accountable and see them again in July. Won’t be long. It’s just been a tough weekend. You can’t ignore it or turn the page without thinking about it, and then you turn the page.”

“If we’re not ready to go on Tuesday, then something might be said,” Keuchel said. “But I fully expect us to come ready to go on Tuesday.”