ST. LOUIS -- The home runs keep coming for Paul Goldschmidt, and the records are beginning to follow.

In the bottom of the fourth inning Saturday against the Astros, Goldschmidt homered for the sixth straight game, extending his career-best streak and tying a franchise record set by Matt Carpenter last year and Mark McGwire from 1997-98. The last Major League player to homer in six straight games was Kendrys Morales, who had a seven-game homer streak with the Blue Jays last season (Aug. 19-26, 2018).

“That’s who he is. That’s who he’s capable of [being],” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said of Goldschmidt, who was unavailable for comment after the game. “He goes out and lets his talent work. Not surprising, but nice accomplishment. Want to recognize that.”

Goldschmidt’s team-leading 24th home run came on an 87-mph slider from Gerrit Cole and went 421 feet to left-center field, according to Statcast. The solo shot put the Cardinals on the board in their 8-2 loss.

Goldschmidt has been on a tear recently. Entering Saturday’s game, he was slugging .730 with 25 RBIs over his last 18 games, and his 10 home runs in July are his most in a month since a career-high 11 in August 2017.

"The standard, everyday Goldschmidt homer,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “It’s incredible what kind of streak he’s on."

It’s a needed surge after the first baseman started the year off sluggishly, posting career lows in slugging and OPS. It’s also a surge that’s coincided with the success of the Cardinals, who were riding a six-game winning streak before Saturday’s loss and sit atop the National League Central.