51.   DARRYL STRAWBERRY asked to be removed from the lineup because of a sore back.

52.   Earlier this season, he came out of three games with a sore lower back, but Tuesday that was not a problem.

53.   Ed Yarnall, too, has had a sore back.

54.   Ed Yarnall, nursing a sore back, will throw in the bullpen Sunday.

55.   Erstad started Tuesday night after missing two games because of a sore back apparently related to a strained right knee.

56.   Finley, who was scheduled to start Sunday against the Yankees, has been bothered by a sore back since his last start in Cleveland last Tuesday.

57.   First baseman Rico Brogna said before the game that his sore back is feeling better, but he was not in the lineup for the second consecutive game.

58.   Freshman Gregg Guenther of Taft will also play, but has been out most of the week with a sore back.

59.   Grootegoed has been resting a sore back the past week but is expected to start against San Jose State.

60.   Hal Sutton, who is bothered by a sore back this week, won the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic in April.