Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

After spending most of the last two seasons under "The Mendoza Line" (a .200 batting average), Yankees 2nd baseman Stephen Drew busted out in a big way on Sunday -- with four hits, including a home run -- pushing his average above .200. Sure, yesterday's biggest performance was Jake Arrieta's no-hitter for the Cubs -- which handed the pricey Dodgers an unenviable distinction, as the first team ever to be no-hit twice in 10 days! -- but I have never seen Jake personally, and, thus, have no photos of him. So let's give the often-criticized Mr. Drew his credit for a big game and a decent month of August while his club battles the Blue Jays in the American League East.

One of this weekend's most intriguing series has AL Wild Card contenders the Rangers and Orioles facing off in Texas. Tonight's game could be the key, with the Rangers' key trade deadline acquisition Cole Hamels on the mound. The former Phillies ace -- whose last start for his old team was a late July no-hitter -- has been graudally improving since the deal. His start last Sunday was his best for the Rangers: giving up two runs in six innings in a win over the Tigers. Hamels knows about pitching "big games." He was 4-0 (with an ERA of 1.80) in the 2008 post-season and was named MVP of both the National League Championship Series and the World Series. THAT is what an ace does. An interesting trend: Hamels has made four starts for Texas so far, giving up 5, 4, 3, and most, recently two runs. Does that mean he'll hold Baltimore to just one this evening? Stay tuned.

A 2013 look at the incomparable Mariano Rivera, working against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Top of the 3rd inning last night at Yankee Stadium: Astros DH Evan Gattis at bat. With a count of two balls, one strike, he faces Ivan Nova. He makes contact on the next pitch... snapping his bat. Look carefully as it splits in two. Gattis flew out, and clearly had to retire his lumber. Next time up, using a different bat, Gattis homered off Nova. (By that time, I was upstairs in the media cafe and watching a monitor. Houston went on to a 15-1 victory.) The broken bat was, of course, just a sidebar item. The star of the night was Astros lefthander Dallas Keuchel. The Cy Young Award contender held the Yankees to three hits in seven shutout innings to notch hit 15th win of the season.

Returning after four months on the disabled list with a hamsting injury and spinal stenosis, David Wright (seen April 14th, just before being hurt) made his presence felt immediately. In his first at-bat, in the top of the 2nd inning -- and with the Mets down 3 - 0 -- he planted Adam Morgan's fastball in the upper deck of Citizens Bank Park. That keyed yet another Mets offensive explosion. Playing as if they'd borrowed the home run friendly mile-high atmosphere of Coors Field (where they scored 14 runs in back-to-back wins Friday and Saturday), the Mets smashed a franchise record eight home runs in destroying the Phillies 16 - 7. The parade of power was impressive -- Juan Lagares, Wilmer Flores (twice), Travis d'Arnaud, Michael Cuddyer, Daniel Murphy and Yoenis Cespedis also cleared the phences in Philadelphia -- but getting their captain back and seeing him contribute in his first game back might be the biggest development for the surprising Mets. most home runs ...

The Yankees were trailing the Indians 2 - 1 in the top of the 3rd inning Sunday, when trainer Steve Donahue noticed a pained expression on CC Sabathia's face after a pitch. A quick conversation with manager Joe Girardi led to a conversation on the mound -- and an abrupt end to the big lefthander's day. The problem was knee pain -- in Sabathia's troublesome and surgically repaired right knee. After 2014 surgery, CC knew his knee would require specialized maintenance to get him through another season. He'd already had fluid drained from it a couple of times. But this pain was different -- and troubling enough that when Donahue suggested he come out of the game, Sabathia didn't disagree. An MRI will show if there's been more damage and what treatment might help get the big lefty back on the mound. The wear and tear of 446 starts over 15 big league seasons might be approaching point of no return. No athlete wants to give in to injury -- and as CC walks toward ...

After 12-1/2 seasons wearing the Phillies white and red, Chase Utley dons Dodger Blue. The best second baseman in Phillies history and number-three hitter in their power packed lineup of the late '00s, will finish out 2015 just 40 miles from where he grew up in Long Beach, California. Now 36, and coming off years of knee and ankle problems, the Dodgers hope Utley can recapture a taste of his peak years as he plays on a contender for the first time in since 2011. The back of his baseball cards includes some great post-season performances -- especially the 2009 World Series, where he slugged a record-tying five home runs. And the Dodgers, who've been unable to shake the Giants in the NL West race, seem to continually need an intensity or a catalyst to live up to expectations. With 2nd baseman Howie Kendrick sidelined, Utley gets to lineup alongside his longtime double play partner in Philadelphia, Jimmy Rollins. Two intense players, both California-born, but battle-tested i...

While I got caught up in the hoopla of Alex Rodriguez' clutch and historic grand slam on Tuesday night, it wouldn't be fair to overlook another pair of Tuesday night standouts. Both Josh Donaldson of the Blue Jays (above) and Curtis Granderson of the Mets (below) smacked a pair of home runs in leading their teams to victory. And Granderson added a catch on a line drive by Gerardo Parra that may have prevented an Orioles home run. (Both photos above are from earlier this season: Donaldson against the Yankees April 8th; Granderson vs. the Phillies May 25th.) Had to add one more, this one from Wednesday: Greg Bird (seen here Tuesday night), filling in for the injured Mark Teixeira, blasted a pair of homers and accounted for all the Yankees runs in Wednesday's 4 - 3 win over the Twins. Two home runs, same game, during his first week in the majors. Give the rookie his props! "

I try not to lock into the Yankees -- or any team -- three days in a row. But how could I overlook Alex Rodriguez's performance last night? With his team trailing 4 - 1 in the last of the 8th inning -- and stuck in a personal 1 for 27 streak, with just 7 hits in his last 53 at bats -- A-Rod crushed a J.R. Graham fastball, planting it in the Yankees bullpen and putting his team on top.  It was his first home run since his birthday back on July 27th -- 23 days ago! My regret is that I was sitting in the press box when the mighty blast happened (the shot here was from the 3rd inning). But I did sneak in the phone-cam image below of Alex being congratulated by his teammates after crossing home plate. So what's with the 25/25? It was Alex's 25th home run of the season and his record-setting 25th career grand slam as the Yankees went onto beat the Twins  8 - 4. And back to that number 25, it was the first time since 2010 that Rodriguez reached 25 homers in a season.

How I could not quote The Rivingtons' '60s classic "Papa Oom Mow Mow" after Greg Bird delivered the hit setting up the Yankees game winning rally? Monday night, the rookie 1st baseman who began the season at Double-A Trenton (where I saw him back in April), led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a booming double of the Twins all star closer Glen Perkins. And while he was pulled for pinch runner Brendan Ryan, who eventually scored the winning run (on Chase Headley's grounder), you can't overlook Bird's contribution. It's been quite a 2015 climb for the Colorado native -- whom GM Brian Cashman feels can be a central part of the next Yankees dynasty. Stepping up in a game where Bird had to take over after the team's top power source Mark Teixeira fouled a ball off his right leg, left a very positive impression.

Carlos Beltran 's appeal to the Yankees was based in large part on his post-season resume. As an Astro, Met and Cardinal, the veteran switch hitter has hit .333 with 16 homers in 51 career playoff and World Series games. But his 2014 season was ruined by injuries; then Beltran started off 2015 slowly.  Healthy again, he's swinging a hot bat -- at just the right time. This weekend, in arguably, the biggest series of the season so far, Beltran was the most important hitter as the Yanks beat the Blue Jays Friday and Saturday -- assuring they'd leave Toronto in first place. In the series opener, it was a three-run pinch hit home run in the top of the 8th inning. The next afternoon, another homer opened the scoring in the 1st; his 8th inning double set up an insurance run in what became a 4 - 1 New York victory. There's been plenty of discussion whether the Yankees decision to stand pat at the trade deadline was the right one. But if Beltran reverts to his form from...

Several reports this morning, including my CBS colleague Jon Heyman, say that Jose Reyes has cleared waivers and is available for the right offer. What would the rebuilding Rockies want for him -- considering that he appeared to be the key player coming west when they sent Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays? The onetime Mets shortstop was known for his speed, agility and flair for the game. But age and the wear-and-tear after several seasons on Toronto's artificial turf have taken some of that away. If you're the Yankees or Giants, thinking that a middle-infield upgrade might be what's missing on your club, how much are you willing to offer? San Francisco has trouble keeping its leadoff batter Angel Pagan on the field, while 2nd baseman Joe Panik is currently on the disabled list. And if you're the Yankees, are you thinking that Reyes returning to New York might pick up his game? He still has a home on Long Island, and has spoken of his fondness for the area. But...

Jim Palmer, healthy again after two seasons of back and arm problems, threw the only no-hitter of his career on August 13th, 1969 . At Memorial Stadium, Palmer shut down the Oakland A's -- though he did pitch around slugger Reggie Jackson  -- who came into the night with 42 home runs and a chance at Roger Maris' then-record of 61. Jim walked Reggie three times, while taming the rest of the Oakland bats, such as Sal Bando and Bert Campaneris. Overall, he struck out eight, and walked six in Baltimore's 8 - 0 victory. Palmer received plenty of offensive support: Brooks Robinson smacked a three-run homer, while leadoff man Don Buford had three hits, scored two runs and drove in two. The no-hitter was one of six shutouts that season for Palmer , who finished 1969 with a 16 - 4 record. He went onto win 20 or more in eight of the next nine seasons, earning his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. (This photo was from the 2012 BAT Dinner in New York.)

Justin Turner  made a lot of fans in New York during his three years with the Mets.  And last month, he showed his loyalty to some of them -- even though he now plays for the Dodgers. You don't see a lot of this, so when I caught the post-game gathering along the 3rd base line at Citi Field, I had to share the moment.

White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia (seen here against the Yankees in 2014), grabs the spotlight with a pair of home runs Monday night in Chicago's 8 - 2 win over the Angels. The 24-year old from Venezuela has caught fire lately: last night's pair gives him four home runs in his last six games -- after just two in his previous 48. It's been a disappointing 2015 for the White Sox. Expected to contend, they've spent most of the season under .500. With the young and talented Cubs 14 games over .500 and battling for a wild card spot, it's tough being Chicago's "other team."  Still, if and when the turnaround comes, Garcia is bound to be an important factor along with their other young stars Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu.

Toronto 's right fielder Jose Bautista helped slug his team to a weekend sweep over the Yankees in the Bronx. Friday night, it was a 10th inning solo shot off Brandon Pinder that gave the Blue Jays a win in the series opener. Then Sunday, his 4th inning blast off Masahiro Tanaka boosted Toronto's lead to 2-0. The Blue Jays, who began the weekend 4-1/2 back of the Yanks -- and six down in the loss column -- outpitched and outplayed the Yankees. A week after beefing up their club with Troy Tulowitzki and David Price joining a talented roster that already included Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Russell Martin and Josh Donaldson, they made a statement about being serious contenders in the AL East. But it was their longest tenured star, the guy nicknamed Joey Bats, who delivered the loudest message.

Duing Sunday night's game, I noticed that the Nationals are wearing a special patch commemorating the ballclub's 10th season in Washington. That's Nats 2nd baseman Anthony Rendon serving as our model.

Steven Wright grabbed the spotlight Wednesday night -- even though it was supposed to belong to someone else. The Red Sox knuckleballer baffled the Yankee batters on Wednesday night, reducing the offensive juggernaut that scored 13 runs the night before to a run and four hits and striking out nine over eight innings. Wright outpitched the impressive Yankee rookie Luis Severino, who displayed a blazing fastball that hit 97 miles an hour at times in his major league debut. But Severino was sabotaged in the 2nd inning by Chase Headley's throwing error. It was just too far off-target for Mark Teixeira to handle. The miscue was then followed by a booming double by Alejandro de Aza for the first Red Sox run to give Boston a lead it never relinquished. David Ortiz later blasted a solo homer off the rookie. Wright is a hardly a pheenom. He'll turn 31 at the end of August. His nine minor league seasons were marked by inconsistency as he bounced between AA and AAA ball. He...

His tie-breaking homer in the 8th inning gave the Giants the lead for keeps in their 8-3 Tuesday night win over the Braves. It was a big win for San Francisco, who blew leads of 6-0, 7-5 in the ninth and 8-7 in the 12th in losing at Turner Field on Monday. This image of the Giants right field is from a September 2013 game at Citi Field in New York.

I paid special attention to Yoenis Cespedes during Sunday night's Mets/Nationals game. He is one of those players with an aura, a commanding presence. Watching him hit, or prepare for a fly ball to come his way, he draws and holds your attention. Sunday night in his second game as a Met, he singled just ahead of Lucas Duda's home run. But that was just a warm up for Monday night against the Marlins in Miami. Cespedes feasted on Miami pitching as if were stone crab. The newest Mets contributed 3 hits in 5 times up, scoring 2 runs to go along with 4 RBIs. His presence changes the image of the Mets batting order. All of a sudden, it appears potent instead of soft, the stuff of serious contenders. A lot has to do with the power hitting outfielder wearing #52.

While Yankees Old Timers Day has been a tradition for me since the early 1960s, Saturday's Phillies Alumni Night was the first I'd attended. Gotta that history -- as well as the lesson impared to the players currently wearing red pinstripes. The present-day Phils stand along the first base line facing the legends of the past. Four ceremonial first pitches representing the Phillies Franchise Four: Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton (it's not an optical illusion; Lefty threw righty) along with the son of the late Robin Roberts and the grandson of Rich Ashburn.