FALLING APART The Red Sox, undergoing a collapse of historic proportions, have lost 19 of their last 23 games and fallen into a dead tie in the American League Wild Card race.

GIANTS WIN! Aaron Ross (31) with the support of teammates after his second interception, in the fourth quarter. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles.

CHAMPS OF THE SOUTHWEST The D-backs celebrate after defeating the Giants and clinching the NL West division title.

UNDER THE LEGS Canada's Jebb Sinclair looks out from a ruck during their Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Tonga at Northland Events Centre

HOPS Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (11) catches a touchdown pass in between Miami Dolphins strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) and defensiveback Jimmy Wilson (27) during the fourth quarter to tie the game at 16-16 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

RED HOT WHEN IT MEANS NOTHING The Washington Nationals, one of the worst teams in baseball this decade, have won 11 of their last 13 games. They are playing better than ever at a time when they are not contenting whatsoever for a playoff spot. Above, Willie Ramos celebrates his home run.

IN THE RACE Yadier Molina celebrates after scoring in the Cardinals 7-run seventh inning Tuesday night. St. Louis, with their classic comeback win over New York, is remains just 2 1/2 out of the Wild Card.

THE BEST EVER Mariano Rivera was congratulated by teammates after his record-breaking save on Monday. With 602, he has more saves than anyone else in baseball history.

TEAM(S) EFFORT England, left, and Georgia scrum for the ball during their Rugby World Cup Group B match at Otago stadium

GET DOWN Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Washington Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Arizona recovered the fumble.

CLOSING IN Ben Zobrist rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer during the first inning. Tampa Bay is just 3 games out of first in the AL Wild Card race.

WINNING WHEN IT COUNTS Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler celebrate scoring crucial runs in front of starter Fausto Carmona in the 5th inning. The Rangers are padding their NL West lead.

GAINING GROUND The Angels are fighting hard for a Division title, behind the Texas Rangers by a shrinking margin.

NOT BAD FOR A BACK-UP The backup Redskins tight end Fred Davis had five catches for 105 yards against the Giants, who played mostly zone defense.

UNDER PRESSURE New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is pressured by Miami Dolphins linebacker Cameron Wake (91) and defensive end Kendall Langford (70) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium.

IN NEW YORK, THE SPORTS WORLD COMMEMORATES 9/11 The New York Jets,New York Mets and U.S Open, all held in New York yesterday, commemorated the September 11th Attacks with moving ceremonies.

DEFEATING FEDERER Novak Djokovic after his five-set victory over No. 3 Roger Federer in their semifinal match Saturday at the United States Open.Djokovic rallied from a two-set deficit for only the second time in his career for a 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 win. He will face the defending champion Rafael Nadal on Monday in a rematch of last year's Open final.

PROUD US athlete Jesse Williams celebrates his win in the men's high jump final at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Daegu

GREEN BAY PRIDE Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.

RAIN RUNNING SPORTS Affecting baseball in a way it never has before, rain has now unleashed mass delays in the U.S Open with 8 of every 10 days in New York seeing rainfall this summer. As the rainest year in U.S history, rain is controlling a nation of dry sports.

CRAZY COLLISION Oakland Athletics second baseman Jemile Weeks (bottom) scores a run after colliding with Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez during the first inning at the O.co Coliseum.

THE DOMINANT TEAM The Philadelphia Phillies, with the best record in baseball are currently 9 games up in the National League East over the Atlanta Braves ,who they beat Monday night by a 9-0 score. Above, Cliff Lee celebrates a complete game win.

CROWD PLEASER Donald Young acknowledging the crowd during his 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 victory against Juan Ignacio Chela. Young, who was once the top-ranked junior in the world, is in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

COOLING OFF IN THE MISSOURI HEAT Missouri fans got a chance to cool off during a win over Miami (Ohio).

SUMMER IN NEW YORK The 10-time Association of Surfing Professionals world champion Kelly Slater traveled to Long Island from the Billabong Pro event in Tahiti. “If there are no waves, we’ll just have fun in the city,” he said.

GEORGIA LOVE Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is congratulated by Dan Uggla after Jones belted a solo homer in the 2nd inning. It was Jones' 451st career homer.

BUGGY, BUGGY CLEVELAND Infamously known for its summertime bug problems, Progressive Field's nats attack relief pitcher Tony Sipp suring the 7th inning.

THE RIVALRY OF ALL RIVALRIES Sparks flied Tuesday night in Boston, as they often do between the Yankees and Red Sox. Above, Francisco Cervelli argues with Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia after he was hit by a John Lackey pitch in the seventh inning.

KEEPING THEMSELVES COMFORTABLE Hanging on to a growing lead atop the American League Central, the Detroit Tigers are closing in on a Division Championship. On Saturday, they defeated the Twins 6-4.

SURVIVOR Citi Field, as well as all other baseball stadiums that suffered loads of postponements due to Hurricane Irene, are okay.

GOING DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS Howard Kendrick rounds the bases after hitting a solo home un in the 7th inning. The Los Angeles Angels won the game in Arlington, Texas. Howard Kendrick rounds the bases after hitting a solo home un in the 7th inning. The Los Angeles Angels won the game in Arlington, Texas. They are now just 3 games out of first place behind the Rangers in the AL West.

JOB WELL DONE Chris Capuano, striking out 13 in a complete game, shutout the Atlanta Braves Friday night, 6-0. It was the best pitching performance for a Met thus far in 2011.

SLAMMING THEIR WAY INTO THE RECORD BOOKS Curtis Granderson celebrates his grand slam in the Yankees dugout. New York hit 3 grand slams in the game- the first time this has ever occured in the history of the game.

WELCOME BACK Cleveland Indians designated hitter Jim Thome (25) gets a standing ovation in his first game back as a member of the Tribe in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field.

ON GERMAN TIDES About 130 surfers from 22 countries are competing in the Kitesurfing World Cup at the North Sea beach in St. Peter-Ording, Germany.

NOT QUITE BARRIED Carlos Gonzalez slugged his 7th home run since coming off the disabled list 2 weeks ago. he is hitting an incredible .370 with 4 home runs and 14 runs batted in during the Rockies current homestand.

DONT COUNT US OUT Alexei Ramirez of the red-hot White Sox scores one of Chicago's 10 runs Sunday as the South Side boys shutout the Texas Rangers to move just 5 games out of contention for the AL division title.

WINNING WHEN IT COUNTS Victor Martinez scores in the fifth inning and is congratulated by bench coach Lloyd McClendon. Detorit is in first place, closer and closer every day to clinching a Division title.

FREEZE MODE The opening round of the Spanish soccer series La Liga has been postponed because of dispute.

APOCALYPSE NOW The sun sets over Turner Field in Atlanta. Bad weather has soaked fields and swamped cities nationwide throughout the month of August, as 2011 has nearly tripled records for most posponed games in a season.

RUNNING FROM FIRST PLACE Reid Brignac tags out Jacoby Ellsbury during a sixth-inning rundown. The Red Sox have fallen into second place in the AL East behind the New York Yankees, for the first time in months.

OVERTIME Members of the Hays High School football team began their workout around sunrise in Hays, Kan., on their first day of practice.

ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE AGES Jim Thome homered twice against the Tigers on Monday. Of his 600 homers, 65 have come against Detroit, his highest total against any team.Jim Thome became the eighth player to hit 600 career homers, but unlike some of his power-hitting contemporaries was never linked to steroids.

WELCOME TO BARCELONA Cesc Fabregas, the newest player for F.C. Barcelona, waving to fans after he was introduced at the Camp Nou stadium. Fabregas, a midfielder, was Arsenal's captain. He signed a five-year contract with Barcelona, which had been his club until he joined Arsenal eight years ago at age 16.

COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO HAVE SOME FUN Nyjer Morgan, a Brewers outfielder, has created an alter ego known as Tony Plush, who amuses fans and teammates alike. The Brewers, winners of 15 out of their last 17, are in first place in the NL Central and are having plenty of fun in this increasingly comfortable position.

ROUGH GO Tiger Woods (USA) hits out of the rough on the 2nd hole during the second round of the 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Quarterback Michael Vick heading to the sideline during the Eagles' N.F.L. preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Philadelphia won, 13-6. Philadelphia has become home for Vick. He loves it.

DELIVERING IN A DEBUT Ubaldo Jimenez shut down the Tigers in a 10-3 win at Progressive Field. Jimenez played for the first time at home in a Cleveland uniform Wednesday.

PANDEMONIUM Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (middle) celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning run against the Seattle Mariners at Rangers Ballpark.

BATTERED AND BRUISED There are many traits unique to the New York Mets. This photo displays one of them. I'm not speaking of the orange foul poles- as the Mets are the only team in the league whose foul poles are not yellow. But this fan is speaking to a very different trait unique to the Mets- their inability to stay out of injury trouble. The Mets epic comeback Monday night may add some unexpected lore to their season of struggle, but it is injuries that yet again, have come to define the Mets season.