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.

“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.