BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Bad Back Doesn’t Slow Down Butler

Brett Butler played all 11 innings Wednesday night despite a sore back, but who would have guessed it? For the second consecutive game, Butler provided the spark that helped the Dodgers to victory. In a game that was tied three times, Butler singled to shallow center field with the bases loaded in the 11th inning to score Jose Offerman for a 6-5 victory over the New York Mets. Butler was five for six in the game, including a double and a triple and two runs batted in. He scored twice.

Tuesday, at Philadelphia, Butler made a game-saving catch in the ninth inning to preserve a come-from-behind 8-7 victory against the Phillies. But even during that game, Butler said his back ached. “We played all eight games of the trip on artificial turf, and we have never played that many consecutive games on turf before,” Butler said. “My back was killing me last night, and it ached in Philly, but I think the plane trip back and sleeping 12 hours just did it in. “

Butler said he arrived at Dodger Stadium at 1:30 Wednesday and started treatment on his back. “There have been games when I have been sicker than a dog and I play my best,” Butler said. “Sometimes if you feel too good, you can try to do too much, and the end result isn’t as good.”

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Manager Tom Lasorda said that Chan Ho Park felt badly when he was told Wednesday that he was being sent to the minors. Park was sent to the Dodgers’ double-A club in San Antonio, but not because of his skill level. In Albuquerque, where the Dodgers’ triple-A team plays, the air is so thin that it is sometimes difficult for a pitcher to get a good read on what he is throwing. It can also damage a pitcher’s confidence. Park will make his first start tonight against El Paso at San Antonio.

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Carlos Hernandez, who has been sidelined because of a sprained back, is feeling better and eligible to be activated. . . . Hitting instructor Reggie Smith will have arthroscopic surgery on his knee today for a probable cartilage tear. Bench coach Bill Russell worked first base during Thursday’s game.