The Giants scratched right fielder Moises Alou from the starting lineup Wednesday night, then quickly placed him on the disabled list with strained lower back. Alou, who had been expected to return Tuesday night in the interleague opener against the Rangers, missed his ninth straight game. The move is retroactive to June 18. Alou, who turns 40 on Monday, missed 28 games with a sprained ankle May 6 to June 5. He is batting .311 this season with nine home runs and 31 RBIs. "It's not too good," said Alou, who had a cortisone shot Monday. The shot helped "a little bit, but it's kind of coming back." The Giants also recalled first baseman Lance Niekro from Triple-A Fresno.