The wisest words that were spoken inside the visiting clubhouse at Globe Life Field on Saturday night came from, not surprisingly, the longest-tenured Astros player, second baseman Jose Altuve.
Altuve has seen a little bit of everything in his 14-year career, which began when he was a youngster on a team that lost at least 106 games three years in a row and evolved to see him become a cornerstone player on a club that’s won four American League pennants, including two World Series titles, in the previous seven seasons.
So when Altuve talks, people listen, or at least they should. Despite losing to the Rangers for the second night in a row, 7-2, to fall to 2-7 on the season, Altuve said the sky isn’t falling.
“Start of the season doesn’t define the season you’re going to have,” said Altuve, who had three hits. “We still have 150-something games more, and I know a lot of things can happen and we can make things turn around.”
What gives Altuve reasons for optimism? The Astros began the season with a tough schedule and their starting pitching has been solid, despite having four starters on the injured list to begin the season. J.P. France came within one out of a quality start Saturday, allowing three runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings in his second start of the year.
“J.P. threw the ball really well and gave us a chance to win,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “A lot of people were on base and we couldn’t get the big hits. That was the biggest part, that J.P. threw the ball very well and we couldn’t get some big outs when we needed to.”
France utilized his changeup against a potent Rangers lineup with six left-handed bats and allowed only three hard-hit balls (exit velocity over 95 mph). Five of the eight hits he allowed left bats at an exit velocity of 78.6 mph or less.
What gives Altuve reasons for optimism? The Astros began the season with a tough schedule and their starting pitching has been solid, despite having four starters on the injured list to begin the season. J.P. France came within one out of a quality start Saturday, allowing three runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings in his second start of the year.
![Houston Astros manager Joe Espada gets first win with no-hitter](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/36/70/64/24874289/3/rawImage.jpg)
“J.P. threw the ball really well and gave us a chance to win,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “A lot of people were on base and we couldn’t get the big hits. That was the biggest part, that J.P. threw the ball very well and we couldn’t get some big outs when we needed to.”
France utilized his changeup against a potent Rangers lineup with six left-handed bats and allowed only three hard-hit balls (exit velocity over 95 mph). Five of the eight hits he allowed left bats at an exit velocity of 78.6 mph or less.
News
BREAKING: Angel Reese complains about referees calls on Caitlin Clark being different
The Chicago Sky rookie wasn’t happy after losing to her archrival. Angel ReeseLAPRESSE Had Caitlin Clark made her debut before or after Angel Reese, we would probably be talking about the Chicago Sky rookie as the best of the year. She’s had…
Randi Mahomes Confesses Being Left Out From Chiefs’ Ring Ceremony as Patrick Mahomes’ Mom Plans to Crash the Event
As Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were celebrating their consecutive Super Bowl victories by attending their ring ceremony at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. One person within the Mahomes household wasn’t pleased at not being there to celebrate Super Bowl LVIII. Randi…
Patrick Mahomes Gets Real About Andy Reid’s Terrifying ‘Dad Stare’ and Their Unique Bond
In the world of the NFL, where millimeter-perfect passes and split-second decisions can make or break a season, sometimes the most powerful weapon is… a look. Just ask Patrick Mahomes, who recently spilled the beans on Andy Reid’s secret superpower –…
Chicago Sky fall to Indiana Fever in most expensive game in WNBA history! Bayou Barbie disappoints fans as her team lose to Fever by 20
Average ticket price over $350 at Wintrust Arena, according to StubHub report. For those looking to go to the Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever game Friday night at Wintrust Arena, most seats have high prices on ticket websites. For those looking to…
Patrick Mahomes: Taylor Swift is so interested in football that she’s ‘drawing up plays’
If Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid ever calls on Taylor Swift to design plays, the pop sensation will be “Ready For It.” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes revealed in a recent interview with NBC that Swift has been creating plays for the team. “She’s really interested in football and she…
JuJu Smith-Schuster had a Chiefs logo under his Patriots practice jersey shortly before the Patriots cut him 👀
JuJu Smith-Schuster secretly signaled his return to the Chiefs weeks ago As it turns out, JuJu has been putting easter eggs out there for quite some time. New England Patriots v Pittsburgh Steelers / Cooper Neill/GettyImages As it turns out,…
End of content
No more pages to load