21.   The blow caused a left oblique muscle contusion that kept Payton out of action for a week.

22.   The Boston right-hander, sidelined because of a strained oblique muscle, struck out the first four batters and five of the six he faced.

23.   The game marked the return of captain Ray Bourque, who missed five games because of a strained oblique muscle.

24.   The good news, Kremchek said, is that oblique muscles heal.

25.   There are internal and external oblique muscles.

26.   Todd Hollandsworth is on the disabled list with a torn oblique muscle on his right side, so the club is carrying four outfielders.

27.   Tom Goodwin, who strained an oblique muscle Wednesday, should begin hitting today and could be back into the center-field mix by next week.

28.   Washburn has a strained left external oblique muscle, just below the rib cage.

29.   Which is what Martinez, claiming he is fully healed from a strained oblique muscle, must continue to do if his teammates harbor any hope of October glory.

30.   Wohlers hesitated before answering, because he said he realized one of his problems since returning this week after nearly a month with a torn oblique muscle.