MLB Photos Of The Week

MLB Photos Of The Week

Al Tielemans/SI

With one out in the seventh and the Tigers and White Sox tied 1-1, Marcus Thames slid hard into second base, knocking over Tadahito Iguchi and disrupting a potential inning-ending double play. Chris Shelton then slapped a go-ahead double to give the Tigers a 2-1 victory over Chicago at Comerica Park.

John W. McDonough/SI

Scott Rolen and the Cardinals capitalized on the Dodgers' recent struggles and swept their intraleague rivals for the first time in 115 years. Since the All-Star break the Dodgers are a woeful 1-10 and have been outscored 57-17.

Al Tielemans/SI

The Twins tied a 40-year-old team record with 17 strikeouts, 10 of which came from starting pitcher Francisco Liriano. Liriano improved his record to 12-2 as Minnesota rolled to a 3-1 victory over the Indians.

Al Tielemans/SI

Twins outfielder Jason Tyner makes a leaping catch on Sunday against the Indians in Cleveland. Everything has been clicking for the Twins, who have posted a 31-8 record since the first week of June.

John W. McDonough/SI

Pitcher Jon Lieber tags out San Diego's Mike Cameron trying to score on a passed ball during the series finale between the Padres and the Phillies in San Diego. The Phillies avoided the sweep, defeating the Pads 5-4 on Bobby Abreu's two-run double in the ninth inning.

John W. McDonough/SI

Right fielder Brian Giles nearly hauls down this deep fly ball during Wednesday's Phillies-Padres tilt in San Diego.

John Iacono/SI

Mets starter Mike Pelfrey surrendered five runs in four innings Sunday against the Astros, and Houston managed to salvage the finale of a three-game series at Shea Stadium.

John Iacono/SI

Xavier Nady (center) celebrates with Pedro Martinez following Nady's three-run home run against the Astros on Saturday in New York.

Ron Scheffler/US PRESSWIRE

Three days after hitting a winning home run off Mariano Rivera in the 11th inning, Vernon Wells blasted two more homers against the Yankees on Sunday and helped the Blue Jays win the four-game series and move within two games of second place in the AL East.

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

If ever a man has felt the pressure of high expectations, it is Alex Rodriguez, who has been consistently booed by Yankees fans all season despite becoming the youngest player ever to reach 450 home runs this week. Still, A-Rod also committed five errors in five games, and the two-time MVP is currently in a 4-for-27 slump.

Thomas E. Witte/SI

Milwaukee center fielder Gabe Gross leaps against the wall and makes a sensational catch during Cincinnati's 8-7 victory over the Brewers at Great American Ball Park.

Brad Mangin/Getty Images

Three days after being jettisoned from the Toronto Blue Jays for clashing with his manager, Shea Hillenbrand landed in San Francisco, where he will be the Giants' every-day first baseman. While in Toronto, Hillenbrand hit .301 with 12 homers, 15 doubles and 39 RBIs.

AP

The Mariners wait at home plate for teammate Richie Sexson, who hit a game-winning home run off Mike Timlin that gave Seattle a 9-8 victory over the Red Sox at Safeco Field on Sunday.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Jered Weaver became the first pitcher to win his first seven starts since Fernando Valenzuela won his first eight in 1981. Weaver, a 6-foot-7 right-hander and the No. 12 pick of the 2004 draft, has an ERA of 1.15 over 47 innings.