POSTSEASON PROS New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano (right) is congratulated by shortstop Derek Jeter (left) after hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning in game one of the 2011 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium.

TAKING OVER A GAME Chase Utley scored on a Shane Victorino single in the seventh, when the Phillies took a 9-3 lead. Home runs by Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez ignited the Phillies.

A CHAPTER IN HISTORY CLOSED FOR GOOD The Red Sox announced Friday that they would not pick up their option on Terry Francona’s contract, cutting ties with the manager who led them to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 after decades of failure. Francona, who managed eight seasons in Boston, oversaw a collapse this season in which the Red Sox went 7-20 in September and lost a playoff spot to the Tampa Bay Rays.

HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE Prince Fielder hit 3 home runs in one game for the first time in his carrer. Above, he congratulates Ryan Braun for hitting a home run of his own. With the victory, the Brewers won their 55th home game, a record.

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.