NEW YORK -- Nationals third-base coach Bo Porter interviewed with the Astros for their managerial job on Thursday afternoon.

Porter flew to Houston after the Nationals completed a three-game series with the Mets.

The Astros have been looking for a permanent manager ever since they dismissed Brad Mills last month. Tony DeFrancesco is currently the interim manager.

It's not known how the interview went, but Porter is considered a highly-respected baseball man in the Nationals organization. In fact, some people in the organization believe that he will be Davey Johnson's successor after Johnson retires from baseball.

Besides being a third-base coach, Porter is an outfield coach and helps Johnson run the office.

Worth noting

• Starting next week, the Nationals will have their scouts look at opposing teams they could possibly face in the postseason, according to a baseball source.

• The magic number for the Nationals to clinch a playoff spot is five. They are currently 8 1/2 games ahead of the Braves in the National League East.