Cracks in the AL contenders  —  The count was full, the bases were loaded and Brian Fuentes fired a fastball at the lowest part of the strike zone Wednesday night, and when home plate umpire Rick Reed called the pitch a ball — the K Zone indicated that Fuentes' fastball nicked the strike zone …

So, here's a little news for you  —  I was hoping to keep this quiet another day or two so I could compose my thoughts.  But that's not possible these days.  —  So here it is: I'm leaving The Journal News after nearly 10 years and going to work for The Boston Globe.

Scheppers Signs With Rangers; Crow Close  —  The Rangers announced the signing of supplemental first-round pick Tanner Scheppers on Thursday.  —  Scheppers, who pitched for Fresno State from 2006-2008 and worked in the independent American Association this summer, received a signing bonus of $1.25 million …

Surfing The Mets  —  Omir Santos' tiebreaking pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning on Wednesday off lefthander Mike Gonzalez looked like it would lift the Mets to a victory.  However, first baseman Daniel Murphy (right) misplayed two balls in the ninth inning, costing Francisco Rodriguez …

A Free Country  —  I'm a big fan of Ken Rosenthal.  To me, he is everything I want in a baseball writer.  He loves the game, he works like crazy (Robo-thal), he is passionate about things, he breaks stories left and right, and he is open to new ideas.  He is also one of the good guys in the business …

Inbox: Will Yankees re-sign Damon?  —  Beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers fans' questions  —  What are the chances that the Yankees re-sign Johnny Damon next year?  Would a one- or two-year deal be enough to get Damon to come back?  —  It might be.  Damon has been pretty up front …

Braves icon Jones hints at retirement after 2010 … ATLANTA (AP) — A drop of almost 100 points from his 2008 NL-leading batting average has Chipper Jones wondering if the end of his career is near.  —  Jones, 37, hit a career-best .364 last year, his third straight season over .320.

Tampa, Staten Island win championships  —  Affiliates take Florida State, New York-Penn League titles  —  Trent Lare ended the season in Tampa, nearly three months after starting it on Staten Island.  He proved a good luck charm for both teams as the Yankees captured championships …

Yankees hit the road for key trip  —  New York (94-53) at Seattle (75-71), 10:10 p.m. ET  —  NEW YORK — The Yankees zipped up their travel bags after completing their second-to-last homestand by celebrating their 14th walk-off victory of the season on Wednesday, joyously spilling …

Royals' Greinke cuts Tigers division lead with win  —  DETROIT (AP) — Jim Leyland was unhappy.  —  Leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on top of his desk, the Detroit manager didn't relish discussing his team's latest loss to last-place Kansas City.  —  “There's no excuses,” he said.

Harwell says thanks to baseball friends  —  Fans, players show admiration for broadcaster in cheers  —  DETROIT — Ernie Harwell said thank you to thousands of his friends at Comerica Park on Wednesday night, and many more watching on television.  Fans, players, baseball people, media and officials thanked him back with their cheers.

Hamels too much for Nats in loss  —  Phillies left-hander keeps Washington hitters off balance  —  PHILADELPHIA — Left-hander Cole Hamels proved to be too much for the Nationals, who lost to the Phillies, 4-2, at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday night and were swept in the three-game series.

Gerut, Rivera lead Brewers 7-4 over Cubs  —  Jody Gerut hit a grand slam, Mike Rivera delivered a key bases-loaded double and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 7-4 Thursday for a four-game split between teams finishing disappointing seasons.  —  After making the playoffs last year …