INSIDE PITCH  —  Ricky Nolasco gave the bullpen a rare night off Tuesday.  —  Nolasco threw the first complete game by a Marlins starter since Anibal Sanchez went eight innings in a 2-1 loss on Sept. 16, 2006.  That snapped a major league record 301 straight games without a Marlins starter going the distance.

Ryan Church returns Friday  —  Ryan Church will make his long-awaited return to the Mets tomorrow, sources told the Daily News.  —  “I'm champing at the bit,” he said after going 0-for-4 in a rehab game with Double-A Binghamton Wednesday night following a flight from Triple-A New Orleans.

Ramirez exits game with injury  —  Shortstop day-to-day after suffering right thumb contusion  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was replaced in the fourth inning on Wednesday night, an inning after he appeared to jam his right thumb while stealing second base.

Dunn, Arizona knock around Peavy in win  —  Dunn hit his National League-leading 34th home run, his second in as many games, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 8-6 on Wednesday night.  —  With San Diego's Jake Peavy and Arizona's Dan Haren on the mound …

METS SIGN AL REYES  —  ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO UPGRADE BULLPEN  —  The Mets today tried another avenue to upgrade their bullpen by signing Al Reyes, who was recently waived by the Tampa Bay Rays, to a minor-league contract, The Post has learned.  —  Reyes was released by the Rays on Aug. 9 …

Buchholz demoted to Portland  —  BALTIMORE - Terry Francona announced after the game that Clay Buchholz, who allowed five runs over 2-1/3 innings in an 11-6 Sox loss to the Orioles was demoted to Double-A Portland to work out his pitching issues.  —  “I talked to Buck and we feel we need …

Rodriguez spells Kendrick  —  Backup infielder fills in for struggling second baseman  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Howie Kendrick, batting just .117 on the Angels' current road trip with two hits in five games, was given Wednesday night off as his team wrapped up a three-game series with the sizzling Rays at Tropicana Field.

Griffey's 609 HRs tie Sosa, ChiSox roll  —  CHICAGO (AP)—Ken Griffey Jr. thought it was just a matter of time.  His first home run with the Chicago White Sox was still a pretty sweet sight for manager Ozzie Guillen.  —  Griffey hit one of Chicago's four homers to move into a tie with Sammy Sosa …

Sox demote Buchholz after another pummeling  —  BALTIMORE - Even he knew, as he walked off the mound, as he walked out of the major leagues (for now), what his fate would be.  There was little else to do, little leeway, on a team for which every win is precious.

There continue to be surprises from Dodgers' Manny Ramirez  —  He's nothing like his reputation.  —  T.J. Simers  —  Can't shake the guy.  —  Wherever I go, there's Manny.  —  I talk to Andruw Jones before he goes to Las Vegas, and Manny pulls up a chair.

Nats acquire shortstop Hernandez  —  Move completes trade that sent reliever Ayala to Mets  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Nationals wasted no time in making use of their latest acquisition, shortstop Anderson Hernandez.  The 25-year-old was in the lineup Wednesday night against the Phillies, batting in the No. 8 slot.

Kotchman leaves Braves to be with ailing mom  —  Diaz won't need surgery on reinjured knee  —  New York — Braves first baseman Casey Kotchman was placed on the major-league bereavement list Wednesday so he could be with his mother, who is hospitalized for an undisclosed medical condition in St. Petersburg, Fla.