HOUSTON -- This was how the Rockies planned it this year and last. A home run apiece from C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk weren’t enough in a 6-4 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, but the team was competitive.

The lack of power over the last couple of seasons has been a mystery for the Rockies, who at game’s end were tied for 25th in the Majors with 78 combined homers. They tied for 22nd last season.

In the cases of Cron and Grichuk, turnarounds could be coming -- maybe not in time to save the Rockies’ season, but just in time, nonetheless. The Trade Deadline lurks on Aug. 1.

It was Cron’s first homer since hitting his sixth of the season April 30, but he missed 39 games in the interim with back spasms. He is on the upswing, with hits in six of seven games since his return. Grichuk missed the first month recovering from sports hernia surgery. He has four homers, but two in the last three games and three in his last 11.

“That’s more like it, right?” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “‘Cronie’ has been out for a while, and Grichuk got a late start because of his surgery. But a game like today is indicative of what they can do.”

The Rockies acquired Grichuk, who averaged 30 homers per 162 games for the Cardinals and Blue Jays from 2015-21 (with a high of 31 in ‘19), from Toronto before last season. Grichuk joined new signing Kris Bryant and Cron, who had homered 28 times for the Rockies in ‘21.

But Grichuk couldn’t find the power early in the season and finished with 19 last season. Cron finished with 29, but 21 came before the All-Star break and he slumped to .197 in the second half.

But the homers, Cron’s off J.P. France and Grichuk’s off Hector Neris, could ignite the two muscular hitters.

“It’s something I can do a better job of, for sure,” said Cron, who said he didn’t worry about hitting but it has taken time to re-acclimate to first base. “That’s why I hit in the middle of the order -- for power, for production, and I’ve been lacking that this year. That’s why it’s nice to finally get one, and hopefully [the] next time I can get one.”

Grichuk -- a Houston-area native who said the stands were spotted with “at least a couple hundred” family, folks close to him and folks he knew or had met -- is hitting .289, higher than any season of his career. The power is the missing piece that he may be finding.

“My hands and my hips are a little bit more connected,” Grichuk said. “It’s allowing me to keep it [the bat] back and fire. It’s one of those things that come in bunches. Hopefully, I can keep it going.”

With the Rockies at 33-55, reality dictates that they look to trade anyone with a talent that could help a contending team -- either to receive Major League talent, or younger players who can be developed. The recent trade of veteran Mike Moustakas to the Angels for High-A righty pitcher Connor Van Scoyoc fits the latter scenario.

As constructed, the team has to balance doing right by the veterans with playing the youth. Not appearing in the last two games were rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle, who hasn’t started the last two games but also went through a 4-for-22 slump during the last homestand, and second-year first baseman Elehuris Montero. But Doyle and Montero have played regularly, and will have plenty more chances.

Indications are teams are at the interest stage but not much more with the Rockies, who can offer up more veteran position players and relief pitchers. If dealt, Cron will be owed the prorated portion of his $7.25 million wage for the final season of his two-year, $14.5 million agreement.

“I don’t really think about things I can’t control, and that’s just another one,” Cron said. “I’m just getting back on my feet here after the injury. I’ll try to help the team as much as I can.”

The Blue Jays are paying $4,333,333 of the $10,333,333 Grichuk is due this year at the end of a five-year, $52 million contract.

“I try not to worry about it, honestly,” Grichuk said. “I’m a Colorado Rockie until the GM or assistant GM gives me a call. It’s all just rumors until you get a phone call.”