APPLICATION » battling for NL Rookie of the Year honors, an award eventu

LOS ANGELES -- Yasiel Puig crumpled into his clubhouse chair and put both hands over his face after speaking with reporters about his close relationship with Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, the fellow Cuban who was killed earlier Sunday morning in a boating accident in Florida.Puig had gotten to know Fernandez in 2013, when both were battling for NL Rookie of the Year honors, an award eventually won by Fernandez. They had dinner as recently as two weeks ago, when the Dodgers were in town for a three-game series.He was a very good guy and I also liked the way he played baseball, Puig said through an interpreter before the Dodgers faced the Colorado Rockies in the finale of their three-game series. The way he treated his mom and his grandma, his teammates and other ballplayers.Puig, who had two hits and five strikeouts in 11 career plate appearances against Fernandez, said facing the hard-throwing right-hander was the best part about playing the Marlins.When he faced Puig for the final time in their most recent meeting (Sept. 9 at Marlins Park), Fernandez struck him out with a 98 mph fastball. Puig blew him a kiss as he headed back to the dugout.Puig said Fernandez was the best pitcher in the majors behind Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw.I liked to face him, Puig said. We would joke around a lot, having a lot of fun. Sometimes, he would throw balls and I would tell him to throw strikes, and I think next time we face Miami and when we play baseball and hes not there, Im really going to miss him.After collecting himself in the dugout, Puig grabbed a Dodgers jersey with Fernandezs name and number on the back and hung it in the dugout. Puig is scheduled to bat cleanup in Sundays regular-season home finale, a game that will clinch a fourth straight NL West title for the Dodgers if they can win.Puig has batted fourth just three others times this season, marking a major step up for the right-fielder, whose first four months to this season were so tumultuous and inconsistent that he was sent down to the minors for all of August, only to return as a more disciplined player and better teammate. Puig credited Fernandez with giving him a sincere pep talk.When we were in Miami, he constantly gave me advice about how to better myself, Puig said. Now, I lost him. Custom Jerseys From China . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Custom NFL Jerseys .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. http://www.customjerseysnearme.com/ . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Clearance Custom Jerseys . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Custom Uniforms Outlet . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. CINCINNATI -- The Milwaukee Brewers are solidly in fourth place in the National League Central and were eliminated early from the playoff chase. But, their starting rotation is looking to build some momentum heading into the offseason.Over their past 21 games, Brewers starters have posted a 2.92 ERA with 39 earned runs allowed in 120 2/3 innings since 8/22. The 2.92 ERA led all of baseball for that period entering Mondays games.Those numbers looked more impressive prior to Monday night when Wily Peralta allowed three first-inning runs. But, collectively as a group, Brewers starters have been on a roll.Whats impressive is that they have it in them, its confidence for them, manager Craig Counsell said. You want to get them to the point where theyre consistent through the whole year. When you pitch like that, you can have good stretches (as a team).Right-hander Matt Garza will try to continue the positive stretch on Tuesday, when he faces the Reds in the second of three games at Great American Ball Park.Garza is making his 17th start of the season and second against Cincinnati. He was sharp his last time out against the first-place Chicago Cubs, allowing one run on three hits with five Ks in six innings of a 2-1 Brewers win.You have a bunch of guys pitching like that, you feel like you have a chance to win every night, Counsell said. Thats pretty much the way its been (even though) its an individual story in a lot of ways.Garza has had mixed results against the Reds in his career, going 4-4 with a 5.04 ERA IN 13 starts. At Great American Ball Park, its been about the same story with a 2-2 mark and 4.dddddddddddd.08 ERA in seven starts.The Reds will counter with right-hander Dan Straily, who has been among the pleasant surprises for them this season. Strailys story is worth telling again.He was waived and traded by three teams during Spring Training. Injuries opened up a spot in the bullpen for Straily who soon found a home in the starting rotation where he has shined.Straily has made 10 starts in which hes allowed three or fewer hits, a single-season franchise record and second most in the major leagues behind Cubs ace Jake Arrieta, who has 11. Opponents are hitting just .224 against him, ninth best in the NL.Hes quite familiar with the Brewers having faced them already twice this season. In his career, Straily is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three appearances against Milwaukee.Straily went 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA in his first eight starts after the All-Star break.Cincinnati likely will be without center fielder Billy Hamilton whos still nursing a strained left oblique that has kept him out of action since Sept. 3.He still has some soreness, manager Bryan Price said. Its better, but he wont do any trunk rotational activities until thats out of there.The Reds have won four straight games and four of their last five games against Milwaukee.In 132 career games against the Brewers, Reds first baseman Joey Votto is batting .315 (146-463) with 27 homers and 90 RBI. His 27 homers and 90 RBI are his most against any opponent. ' ' '