Bobby Crosby replaced Jack Cust at DH in the top of the third, as Cust’s back spasms started acting up. I asked him how his back was feeling a couple hours before the game (he had just gotten out of the batting cage), and he didn’t sound real sure he’d make it through the whole game. This lineup — already minus Eric Chavez, Nomar Garciaparra and Mark Ellis — can ill-afford to lose Cust, to state the obvious.

It’s a 2-2 tie after three innings. Travis Buck mashed a 423-foot two-run homer in the second inning to tie the game. An absolute laser to right …