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.

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 …

AMAZIN' YOUTH WINS NY BATTLE  —  DANIEL MURPHY came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the first inning.  The Brave-Mets game was scoreless.  —  Atlanta's fine young starter Jair Jurrjens got ahead 1-2.  But one piece of information we have learned about Murphy quickly is that he has some Wade Boggs in him.

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.

Cards to get boost as Wainwright to start Friday  —  ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals decided to plug Adam Wainwright into their rotation instead of as the fill-in closer, and will give him a start on Friday against the Atlanta Braves.  —  Wainwright, the Opening Day starter and 6-3 with a 3.14 ERA …

These Yankees Need To Be Dismantled - Immediately  —  “Break up the Yankees” was the cry after the Joe DiMaggio-led Bombers won straight championships between 1936 and 1939.  In an effort to stop the Yankees from improving or replenishing their dominant team, the American League even briefly adopted …

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.

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.

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.

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.

Phils looking for depth behind plate  —  The Phillies continue to look at ways to improve their roster for the stretch run, no matter how small the improvement might be.  —  A club source confirmed yesterday that the Phillies were interested in catcher David Ross, who was released Monday by Cincinnati.

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 …

Millwood goes the distance in Texas Rangers' win  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  ARLINGTON - He does not go home at night and rank the level of frustration from year to year, but he doesn't need to.  —  For Kevin Millwood, 2008 has been the most tormenting, frustrating and humiliating season of his career.

Griffey's 609th HR ties Sosa, ChiSox win  —  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 …

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 …