Interleague Baseball: Weekend's Best Photos from the Diamond

The first weekend of interleague play for this season provided us with some memorable moments.

Some were good (a near no-hitter), some were bad (a takeout slide that almost cost someone his leg), some just happened to be those fortunate times when happenstance and a photographer's snap meet at just the right second.

Many of these moments were captured with some fine photography in ballparks around the majors. Every ballgame usually presents some nice photo opportunities. But this weekend's action just seemed a bit more camera-ready.

Here are 10 great photographs from the past three days in MLB. 

Dodgers' Mark Ellis Sent Flying by Takeout Slide

The collision between St. Louis Cardinals Tyler Greene and Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis on Friday night was notable enough for sending Ellis flying through the air.

But the news that blood and other fluids that had accumulated in Ellis' left leg as a result of the injury almost resulted in Ellis losing that leg made the moment that much more significant.

We see takeout slides all the time in baseball, though maybe with not quite as much impact as Ellis suffered. This most certainly wasn't a harmless play. 

Kerry Wood and Son Justin Share a Final Moment on the Field

Kerry Wood's eighth-inning strikeout of the Chicago White Sox's Dayan Viciedo on Friday was already going to be plenty memorable. It was the final play of Wood's 14-year major league career, as reports circulated before the game that Wood would announce his retirement.

Wood struck out Viciedo on three pitches, then made a triumphant walk back to the Chicago Cubs dugout, soaking in a rousing standing ovation from an adoring, grateful Wrigley Field crowd.

But the moment became even more special when Wood's 6-year-old son, Justin, ran out of the dugout to give his dad a hug. What a memory father and son will always share.

If you didn't tear up or feel a tingle in your chest upon seeing this, you may not have a soul. 

Tim Lincecum Collides with Colin Cowgill at Home Plate

San Francisco Giants fans know all too well how dangerous collisions at home plate can be. A stationary target is no match for a base runner careening toward the plate at full speed. 

Nearly a year ago, the Giants lost Buster Posey for the rest of the season with a broken ankle after colliding with the Marlins' Scott Cousins. 

Tim Lincecum's collision with the Oakland Athletics' Colin Cowgill wasn't nearly as devastating. But it sure didn't look good, as Cowgill's helmet slammed into Lincecum, appearing to hit him in the head.

Lincecum was all right after getting checked out by team trainers and completed the fourth inning. But that finished off his day. 

Justin Verlander Nearly No-Hits the Pittsburgh Pirates

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is capable of throwing a no-hitter every time he takes the mound. His starts are appointment viewing, or "Must-See J.V.," as Tigers fans call it. 

So history was definitely on the minds of everyone watching Verlander face the Pittsburgh Pirates, with one of the worst offensive lineups in baseball.

The reigning American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner came so close to throwing his third no-hitter, needing just two more outs to pull off the feat. But Josh Harrison broke that up with a ground ball up the middle for a base hit.

But when this photo was taken in the first inning, did Tigers fans realize what they were about to see? Probably, since it's almost become routine for Verlander. 

Adam Jones and the Baltimore Orioles Celebrate Another Win

Saturday night was all right for jumping at Nationals Park. 

At least for the Baltimore Orioles after their 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals. 

Two of the three O's outfielders in this photo, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, hit two-run homers off the Nats' Ross Detwiler to push their team toward victory. 

Josh Beckett Has a Stretch in Boston Red Sox Dugout

Josh Beckett's right lat muscle has been the cause of some tension among media and fans following the Boston Red Sox in recent weeks. 

So Beckett figured to give his right side a good stretch before taking the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. 

The calisthenics clearly paid off, as Beckett allowed just one run in seven-and-two-thirds innings. Over his past two starts, Beckett has given up just one run in 14 2/3 innings. He's probably earned a round of golf for the Red Sox's next off-day on Thursday. 

Clayton Richard Scores Winning Run in 13th Inning for San Diego Padres

Sunday was a long day between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels, with their game going 13 innings.

The Padres finally broke the eight-inning deadlock when pinch-hitter Clayton Richard (complete player!) scored from first base on a Will Venable single and Howie Kendrick throwing error to give the fans at Petco Park a walk-off win. 

The win put the Padres' percentage points ahead of the Colorado Rockies for last place in the NL West. Between that, and those cool camouflage jerseys, Sunday turned out to be a good day for the Pads.

Edwin Encarnacion Goes over the Wall to Make a Catch

Hey, has anyone seen Edwin Encarnacion? You know, 6'2" first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. He can hit some home runs. Not so good with the glove.

Wait, was that him? The guy going over the wall in foul territory to catch a pop-up by New York Mets shortstop Ronny Cedeno? Who just took a head-first spill into the camera well?

Yep, that's the guy. Nice catch. 

Carlos Pena Calls for the Ball

Everybody clear out. Carlos Pena has this one. 

Unless the Tampa Bay Rays first baseman lost the ball somewhere in that Tropicana Field roof.

But no, he's got this. 

Dexter Fowler Heads Back to the Dugout

Under cover of dusk, Dexter Fowler goes back to the Colorado Rockies between innings of their game against the Seattle Mariners. 

Maybe the darkness is the cloud hovering over the Rockies, as they suffered a three-game sweep at home, knocking them into last place in the NL West. 

Turn out the lights on the Rockies. No one wants to look at this right now.

Turn out the lights on this photo stream as well. Thanks for clicking along with us.