Mills explains lineup shuffle

With first baseman Brett Wallace still nursing a sore hip from his Friday collision with Brewers slugger Prince Fielder, Astros manager Brad Mills stirred up his lineup for Saturday’s game against the Brewers. Carlos Lee, who has hit fourth for much of the season and has struggled his year, was moved down to fifth and played first base.

Jason Bourgeois batted second and played left field, and Angel Sanchez was back in the lineup, making his first start at second base and batting third. Hunter Pence was moved into the fourth spot in the lineup. Clint Barmes, who batted second in his season debut on Friday, hit eighth.

“The whole thought is Bill Hall’s got the day [off] and we’re trying to get Sanchez back in there. He’s swinging the bat really well for us, and this way we get some speed and some guys that are getting on base in front of Hunter and Carlos,” Mills said. “It is new, but I don’t know how we’re going to use this going forward.”

Mills stressed this lineup was just for Saturday.

Here’s the lineup:

CF Michael Bourn

LF Jason Bourgeois

2B Angel Sanchez

RF Hunter Pence

1B Carlos Lee

3B Chris Johnson

C J.R. Towles

SS Clint Barmes

LHP Wandy Rodriguez