Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

CC Sabathia (seen here in Spring Training 2011) did what's expected of an ace -- helping his team win a crucial game. Not at the top of his form -- giving up 10 hits in 6 innings is far from his best --the big lefthander kept pitching out of trouble and maintained the Yankees' lead. Turning it over to the bullpen after six, they wrapped up New York's 5 - 2 win at Fenway. But Mariano Rivera and company wouldn't have been there without CC's gutty effort.

The Mets' Nick Evans hadn't had much to brag about in 2011. After bouncing back-and-forth between Flushing and Buffalo this season, he enjoyed a pair of strong games against the Phillies -- capped by a three-run homer in the first inning of yesterday's victory at Citizens Bank Park. He lays some lumber on a Kyle Kendrick pitch and sends it towards the left field stands.

Hours after an earthquake rumbled across much of the east coast, a Phillies fan put a humorous spin on the seismic surprise. Putting quite a jolt on a Jon Neise pitch, the Phillies red-hot John Mayberry Junior homers for the third time in five games. Two-and-a-half years after looking like a top flite prosect, he's now delivering. The ball lands in the left field stands, while Mayberry receives a round of high fives after "touching 'em all."

Ryan Zimmerman -- seen here in 2010 against Arizona -- capped Friday night's most surprising comeback. His grand-slam home run, with the game tied and two out, powered the Nationals past the 1st-place Phillies 8 - 4. Down 4 - 2 entering the bottom of the 9th, Washington rallied to tie the game before Zimmerman's line drive down the left field line off Ryan Madson settled things.

Jason Isringhausen hadn't pitched in the majors for two years when he came to the Mets training camp last winter. Injuries and ineffectiveness had apparently ended the veteran reliever's career. But a strong showing in Florida landed him a roster spot. And the trade of Francisco Rodriguez gave him a chance to close games again. On August 15th, Isringhausen, once a highly touted Mets prospect, earned his 300th career save, getting the final outs in New York's victory over the Padres. Hat's off for becoming the 23rd pitcher to reach that milestone. And thanks to Jaden Daly for sharing this bonus info: "Izzy picked up his 300th save ten years to the day that Trevor Hoffman got his. Ironically enough, Hoffman reached the milestone when his Padres defeated none other than the New York Mets on August 15, 2001."

Yankee center fielder Curtis Granderson could well be Adrian Gonzalez' chief rival for the 2011 AL MVP. His home run against the Rays on Saturday was his 33rd, lifting him into a tie for most in the league with Toronto's Jose Bautista. Add that to 94 RBI (including a major-league high 33 off lefthanded pitching) and 22 steals, his consistent production has helped make up for a drop from teammates Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada.

He was the big bat that, despite a weak supporting cast, kept the San Diego Padres in the NL West race last season. And in 2011, after an off-season trade to the Red Sox, Adrian Gonzalez has stepped up his game another notch or three. The power-hitting 1st baseman is leading the all of baseball with a .350 average and is just one behind (as of this morning) the Yankees' Curtis Granderson for the most RBIs.

The bunt can so often be an effective weapon, especially in National League games where starting pitchers come to bat. I liked this pair involving Roy Oswalt of the Phillies, captured in action back in May. Deadening the ball, almost "catching it with the bat" and of course, keeping the rolling ball in fair territory.