The Astros plugged Rodriguez into the No. 2 spot in the lineup and the 14-time All-Star catcher finished 1-for-3 at the plate.

"I feel good out there," Rodriguez said. "I'm just trying to get used to my new teammates, and so far it was good. I was very pleased with the way I played today and the way our team played today."

After waiting all winter to land a job, Rodriguez finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Astros on Friday. He can earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses.

Houston starting pitcher Brian Moehler enjoyed his first game with Rodriguez behind the plate.

"He mixed the pitches up well. We seem to be on the right page," said Moehler, who threw three hitless innings before leaving with a bruised pitching shoulder. "I know it's difficult for him because he hasn't caught these guys before. It's a learning experience for him as well as us."

Moehler left the game as a precaution after he was hit on the right shoulder by Ryan Zimmerman's line drive. He doesn't expect to miss any starts.

Rodriguez will use the rest of the spring as a cram session to learn the ins and outs of Houston's pitching staff.

"Communication is very important," he said. "I've already talked to some of the starters and the other guys, and we're pretty much on the same page. I want to be the guy to make their work easy, from every starter down to the bullpen."

Rodriguez went 10-for-20 with Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, showing major league teams that he could still play at 37 years old. He is a 13-time Gold Glove winner and .301 career hitter.

His experience could help the Astros, who haven't reached the playoffs since going to the World Series in 2005. Rodriguez will replace Humberto Quintero, a .230 career hitter, as the team's starting catcher.

For Washington, John Lannan threw six shutout innings, allowing four hits.

Lannan, the projected opening-day starter for the Nationals, worked from behind often but was able to escape without any damage.

"He's got six scoreless innings, and that's what counts at the end of the day," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "That's what we're looking for. He made good pitches when he had to, especially against their everyday lineup. We like to see that kind of challenge for him at the end of camp."

Notes: Astros RF Hunter Pence made his first appearance since straining his left calf Tuesday. He went 0-for-2. ... The Astros had all right-handers in their starting lineup against Lannan, a lefty.