CHICAGO -- The way Alex Bregman has been swinging the bat in the last month has rekindled thoughts of the 2019 season, when Bregman spearheaded one of the best offenses in Major League history and flirted with winning the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

Injuries to his hamstring in 2020 and quad and wrist in '21 led to bad habits in his mechanics, which Bregman has worked tirelessly to correct. He’s still not where he wants to be, but a healthy Bregman continued his second-half surge by going 4-for-6 with four runs scored, two doubles, two homers and a career-high six RBIs in the Astros’ 21-5 pounding of the White Sox on Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

“I know everybody always says 2018 or 2019, but I think each year is different, and definitely I’m trying to get back to the mechanics I had those two years,” he said. “The previous two, mechanically, I wasn’t the same. My front hip was wide open and it was making me spin and cut the baseball instead of stay through it and be able to drive it. We’ve been working hard this year and a lot of people have helped me out working in the cage. It’s been good the last few months of being more consistent.”

Bregman and outfielder Chas McCormick (3-for-6, five RBIs) combined to drive in 11 runs as the Astros tied a club record with 25 hits. The 21 runs are tied for the second-most in club history, trailing the 23 they scored against the Orioles on Aug. 10, 2019. That was also the only previous time the Astros had 25 hits in a game.

“You have to locate, and I didn't do that,” White Sox starter Lucas Giolito said. “A lot of fastballs trying to go in and missing middle, stuff like that -- and they didn't miss. Gave up a lot of runs."

Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker and catcher Christian Vázquez both went 4-for-6, joining Bregman in the four-hit club.

“We made a statement. We made a freaking statement,” McCormick said. “We have a good offense. They’re a good team. We were a little upset that they beat us the first two times. We got a good win [Wednesday], and coming in today, we wanted to make sure we didn’t lose the series. We did a good job hitting and it showed how our offense is today.”

Here’s how hot Bregman has been lately:

Since July 21 (27 games): .343/.404/.667, seven homers, 26 RBIs, 11 walks, 11 strikeouts

Since Aug. 2 (16 games): .397/.471/.776, five homers, 17 RBIs, nine walks, five strikeouts

Since Aug. 9 (10 games): .432/.512/1.000, five homers, 16 RBIs, six walks, two strikeouts

Last year, Bregman wasn’t himself at the plate. He missed 58 games with a quad injury and posted a .777 OPS with 12 homers and 55 RBIs in 91 games. He had offseason surgery on his right wrist, which was impacting him, as well.

“Kind of the last few years, mechanically, I haven't been where I wanted to be,” he said. “Today was better. Today was a really good day of executing mechanics and our team did a really good job of putting together good at-bats.”

After Bregman struck out on a 3-2 pitch that was below the strike zone in the first inning -- which led to the ejection of hitting coach Alex Cintrón -- Bregman followed with a two-run double in the third, a two-run homer in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth. He added a double in the ninth off White Sox second baseman Josh Harrison, who pitched the final frame.

“I’m not going to say anything, because I don’t want to get fined,” Bregman said of the call. “I definitely take a lot of pride in swinging at strikes and taking balls. I thought I did a good job of that today.”

Astros manager Dusty Baker said: “I can't tell you what I was saying. My mother wouldn’t like it. We all thought that it was low.”

Bregman entered August batting .242, but he is now hitting .264 with 18 homers, 72 RBIs and an .839 OPS in 115 games. The 2019 Bregman appears to be back.

“When Bregman’s going, oh man, he’s been hot for a while,” McCormick said. “I’m happy for him. He’s doing a great job and is locked in every day. He’s healthy and playing every day. We need him out there every single night because he’s a pretty impactful player.”