Umps report verbal abuse by Halos  —  Scioscia denies staff acted improperly after Wednesday's loss  —  BOSTON — Manager Mike Scioscia denied accusations by umpire Rick Reed that his coaches acted unprofessionally following a controversy-filled 9-8 loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park.

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.

Crow, Royals Agree To $3 Million Deal  —  Aaron Crow, the 12th overall pick in the 2009 draft, and the Royals have agreed to terms on a three-year major league contract that includes a $1.5 million bonus and $3 million in guaranteed money.  If he spends the duration of the deal …

Braves win 7th straight … ATLANTA(AP) The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are streaking in opposite directions.  —  Brian McCann hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the fifth inning and the Braves beat the reeling Mets 7-3 on Thursday night for their first seven-game winning streak since 2006.

Ex-Chicago Cub Shawon Dunston sends handwritten letter to Bankruptcy Court seeking college tuition money  —  But former shortstop said it was just a formality  —  Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston flies through the air after foecing San Diego's Bip Roberts while turning a double play in the third inning.

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 …

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 …

September 17: Postgame notes  —  First things first, Juan Miranda (right) is going to New York.  —  I guess there could be more moves in the next few days, but for now, he's the only call-up from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees clubhouse.  Austin Jackson said he hadn't heard anything definitive …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …