Johnson out of Astros lineup

Third baseman Chris Johnson is not in the Astros’ starting lineup today, presumably because he’s nursing a sore left arm. Johnson was hit by a pitch on the back of his upper left arm Tuesday and told me after the game he was having trouble moving the arm. We’ll know when we get to visit with manager Brad Mills.

The Astros will try to win consecutive games for the first time this year when they send Wandy Rodriguez to the mound to face Carlos Zambrano, who’s dominated the Astros in his career and even through a no-hitter against Houston in 2008. He’s 14-8 with a 2.63 ERA in his career against the Astros. Rodriguez is coming off a strong start, allowing eight hits and one run Friday against Florida.

Here is the Astros’ starting lineup:

ASTROS

CF Michael Bourn

SS Angel Sanchez

RF Hunter Pence

LF Carlos Lee

1B Brett Wallace

2B Bill Hall

3B Matt Downs

C J.R. Towles

LHP Wandy Rodriguez