Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Not sure if Moses raised his staff to divide the Schuylkill River, but the exodus continues today from Citizens Bank Ballpark. Latest to turn in his white and red togs, Hunter Pence. The Phillies big acquisition at last year's trade deadline is on his way to the Giants. Pence's inability to anchor of the offense while Ryan Howard and Chase Utley were sidelined much of this season may have sealed his Philadelphia phate. Such is the price of a deeply disappointing year combined with the club's interest in getting under the luxury tax threshold.

Shane Victorino is returning to the club that drafted and first signed him. The speedy outfielder and impending free agent was traded today by the Phillies to the Dodgers for a pair of prospects. Nicknamed "The Flyin' Hawaiian," he leaves Philadelphia with three gold gloves, two All Star game appearances and a 2008 World Series championship ring.

A couple of noteworthy achievements from this past weekend: Adam Dunn (seen above against the Yankees earlier in the month), smacked his major-league-leading 31st home run Saturday night in the White Sox win over the Rangers. Also on Saturday, Ike Davis (below) continues to rebound from an awful April and May. He become the 9th Met ever with three home runs in a game. Did mom's chicken soup help? He did it against the Diamondbacks in his hometown, Phoenix.

For the second straight night, Pedro Ciriaco delivered the game-winning hit as the Red Sox edged the Yankees in the Bronx. Saturday, it was an outfield fly misplayed by Curtis Granderson into an RBI triple. Then Sunday, his bloop into right field again plated the go-ahead score. The unheralded shortstop may be on his way to becoming a Boston folk hero. So far in 2012, he's 11 for 22 against the Yankees.

The New York area was pelted by some intense rainstorms on Saturday -- which delayed the Yankees/Red Sox game by just over two hours. The slate-gray sky was the best indicator of the impending storms; look closely and notice that it's still dry... but not for long. Below, Mother Nature unleashes her fury as fans wait it out on the concourses or in the stadium's clubs. As the rain slows, the grounds crew starts peeling back the tarp.  Loaded with water, it almost looks like an ice rink. The massive amount of standing water drains amazingly well -- even after it's dumped on the grass. A little patience, a bit of sunshine and a coordinated effort by the crew, now we're almost ready to play.

With the Yankees home this weekend against the Red Sox, Ichiro Suzuki is actually wearing pinstripes, the team's home uniform. It will take some used to the new image, but he's fit in comfortably, with hits in each of his first five games as a Yankee. He knows Yankee Stadium's right field corner from his Mariners days. The NY and the pinstripes are what set this image apart. And below, note how Stadium's souvenir stands already are on the Ichiro bandwagon.

On Wednesday, I had the chance to watch Zach Wheeler, the Mets' other highly-rated pitching prospect. From what I saw against the New Britain Rock Cats, the 22 year-old needs a little more seasoning. His curve ball was very impressive, you could see him fool several of the Twins better prospects. But his control -- especially in the first inning, where he hit a couple of batters -- also needs refinement. (Below) The news was more encouraging on closer Frank Francisco, who made his first rehab appearance after an oblique injury landed him on the DL. He reached 92 on the radar gun and appeared more effective than his line (2 runs, 3 hits in 2/3 of an inning). He told me after the game he thought he needed a couple of more outings to be ready to return to the big club. While still "a bit tighter," he wants his body to "respond by itself."

Starling Marte became the first Pirates player in 16 years to have a multiple hit game while making his major league debut. He had two hits and scored a run in Thursday night's 5-3 win over the Astros (Jason Kendall went 3-for-4 on April 1, 1996). I first noticed Marte just over a year ago when he was one of several Pirates prospects playing for their Altoona farm club. Part of the fun of catching minor league games is spotting those future stars. While one night does not a career make, Marte has been on lots of "can't miss" lists. Separately, congratulations to Mets rookie Matt Harvey, who became the first pitcher since 1900 to strikeout 10 batters (he whiffed 11) and get two hits in his major league debut. I haven't seen him yet, but am certainly looking forward the opportunity.

An essential tool in evaluating pictures, here's the one permanently installed behind the backstop at New Britain Stadium. While technically accurate, there are limitations. It doesn't track movement, or location. The goal is hitting the corners of the strike zone or otherwise fooling hitters, something a bit beyond "the gun's" capability.

A week ago, in a battle of 12-game winners, Washington's Gio Gonzalez was hit hard, while R.A. Dickey pitched well enough to lead the Mets to a victory (their only one since the all-star break). The Nats' lefthander gave up six runs in just 3-1/3 innings leading Davey Johnson to make that unhappy walk to the mound. Last night at Citi Field, Gonzalez held the Mets to two hits over seven innings, allowing just an unearned run, in the Nationals 5 - 2 win. Touched up for 5 runs, Dickey saw his personal 11-game win streak come to an end.

Since Ichiro joined the Yankees last night in Seattle, he won't actually don pinstripes until Friday, when the club returns home. But he's had plenty of experience playing in the Bronx over the last 11-1/2 seasons, including this May.

We've heard so much about Bryce Harper of the Nationals. And having seen him play a couple of games last week, I'd have to agree with most of what's being said. He is a gifted hitter -- the ball makes that special sound when it comes off his bat. He also covers a tremendous amount of ground in the outfield.  The #1 overall draft choice a year ago, he's already a star months before he turns 20.  He's not just speedy, he's fast. Here,  he beats out an infield grounder.  And he's a threat on the bases -- though here, he'd soon score on an Adam LaRoche homer.

Over the years, Manny Mota has filled a variety of roles with the Dodgers: pinch hitter deluxe (Phillies fans will never forget or forgive his series-turning pinch hit in game three of the 1977 NLCS), coach, and mentor to many young Latino players. But today, I noticed Mota going beyond the call of duty -- serving as photographer for a Citi Field fan who needed someone to snap a shot with AJ Ellis. How do you say "mensch" in Spanish?

Since the Presidents who race around Nationals Park can't really be considered the team mascots, the ballclub goes the more "traditional" route with a fuzzy creature who leads cheers and helps bond with the kids. Meet Screech (guess he's the fuzzy oversized version of an Eagle?): rival to the Phantic, Mister Met and the Pirate Parrot).

Just back from the final two games of the Mets/Nationals series. Along with the action on the field as the first place Nats battled the improved Mets, I got to watch the ballpark's most distinctive attraction -- besides the game -- The Presidents Race! In the middle of the 4th inning, the oversized mascots representing four of our most beloved presidents -- George (Washington), Tom (Jefferson), Abe (Lincoln) and Teddy (Roosevelt) come out of the center field gate and amble toward a finish line along the 1st base line. Teddy -- who up till now has never won -- holds the early lead (truth be told, he came out of the gate first). History was not to be made, as Teddy veered off toward the stands, while Tom broke the tape (Apologies for a fan in front of me cutting into the lower-left corner), The "standing" as July 20th -- George has won 19 times this season, Tom and Abe - 14 each. And Teddy retains his goose-egg. But losing might have his benefits -- check this ou...

Heading to DC to catch the final two games of the Mets series with the Nationals. Five years ago, I saw the same match-up in Washington's previous ballpark, RFK Stadium. One of the wave of rounded multi-purpose stadiums that came to symbolize '60s sports architecture, it was also the home of the NFL's Redskins. Many of their names, as well as those from the Senators and other DC pro teams were honored on the right field wall. The August 19th game gave us a glimpse at the always entertaining (and usually effective) El Duque, Orlando Hernandez. While I'd seen El Duque many times, this was my first experience with the Nat's now ubiquitous quartet of Presidential mascots.