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.

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 frees up D-Backs to be themselves  —  You want to know about the Adam Dunn effect?  —  OK, here goes:  —  Bottom of the first inning Wednesday at Chase Field.  The San Diego Padres have a 4-0 lead and Jake Peavy on the mound.  —  That's as sure of a thing as there is in baseball.

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

Should the Yanks Bring Back Bobby Abreu?  —  There's an adage on the beat: if you're out of compelling ideas, “The Yankees will provide.”  In other words, there's enough going on that you shouldn't have to think too hard for a lead to your notebook.  —  Wednesday was an exception.

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.

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.

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 …