HOUSTON -- The Astros have had a revolving door at first base, with seven different players starting there since they jettisoned veteran José Abreu in June. Jon Singleton has gotten more starts at first base than anyone else and has had his ups and downs at the position, both on defense and offense.

So much so that the Astros started rotating catchers Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini into the mix at first base with Singleton in the past month to try to bolster their offense. Singleton offered a reminder Thursday afternoon he can be a viable option by going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and driving in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of a 6-3 win over Oakland at Minute Maid Park.

“You’ve just got to go out there and do your job,” Singleton said. “I’m grateful that I’m able to get the opportunity.”

The game was tied at 2 in the eighth when Singleton scored Diaz from second base with a single to right. Jake Meyers followed with an RBI double and -- after Jason Heyward was intentionally walked -- Mauricio Dubón roped a two-run single to left field for a 6-2 lead.

“When we can stretch it out and get big hits from everybody, we find ourselves scoring some runs late in the game,” manager Joe Espada said. “We got a little bit of cushion there.”

The Astros, who have a 4 1/2-game lead over the Mariners in the American League West, snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 78-68 with 16 games remaining.

Singleton is slashing .239/.322/.393 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs in a career-high 331 at-bats with Houston, who selected his contract from Triple-A last August. He now finds himself as a starter on a team closing in on the AL West title.

“He has contributed immensely,” Espada said. “He’s gotten some big hits. He gives you quality at-bats and finds the barrel and has the ability to walk. I’ve thrown a few guys out there and everyone finds a way to contribute and Jon has done a really, really good job.”

Singleton was supposed to be a part of this Astros’ run all along. He was the team’s No. 1 prospect over a decade ago and was signed to a $10 million contract and promoted to the big leagues. Multiple drug suspensions helped lead to his release and time away from the game to focus on his personal life.

He returned to baseball in the Mexican League in 2020 and 2021, signed a Minor League contract with the Brewers in late ‘21 and endured a rollercoaster start to ‘23 during which he was on Milwaukee’s 40-man roster, then released when the club needed to free a spot. He reached the big leagues in ‘23 before being designated for assignment by the Brewers.

“A lot of respect for the grind,” said Heyward, who clubbed a two-run homer in the second inning. “As hitters and players, we all understand how that goes. I was thinking to myself today he had to hit it a little softer than he has been hitting. He's been having some really good at-bats, some loud base hits and some loud outs.”

Singleton’s costly defensive miscue at first base in a 3-2 loss to the Orioles on Aug. 24 -- he slowplayed a grounder to first base and allowed Colton Cowser to reach base ahead of a three-run double -- has only motivated him to get better defensively. Singleton made an error on the first batter of the game Thursday, but redeemed himself in the fifth inning by scooping out a throw in the dirt on a fantastic play up the middle by shortstop Jeremy Peña.

“I feel like he gives me Yuli [Gurriel] vibes,” said Peña, referencing the Astros’ former Gold Glove-winning first baseman. “I feel like you just throw it over there and he’s got you. He’s always around the bag. … He’s just got a good feel for first base and you're always glad to have a first baseman who can pick it.”

Singleton didn’t see the Peña play unfold. He was running towards first base to try to find the bag with his foot, but he came through in the clutch with his glove and later with his bat.

“That [play] can completely change the outcome of the game and how I manage the bullpen,” Espada said. “It just changes a lot of things. Jeremy finishing that play with Singy, that was huge.”