Sandoval being plagued by sore back

NEW YORK -- Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval left Saturday's 6-0 loss to the Yankees with tightness in his lower back, which has bothered him intermittently this season.

Sandoval, who recorded two of San Francisco's six hits off Ivan Nova, did not take the field for the bottom of the eighth inning.

"His back flared up on him," said manager Bruce Bochy, who replaced Sandoval with Nick Noonan.

Sandoval's playing status for Sunday's series finale is uncertain. He's batting .274 with 13 home runs and 75 RBIs, second on the club to Hunter Pence's 93. The switch-hitter has appeared in 135 of San Francisco's 155 games, his highest total since he played 152 games in 2010.